US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen met with Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury today at the Secretariat. Photo: US Embassy

DHAKA, April 29, 2026 (BSS) - Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury today urged the United States (US) government to continue their existing cooperation for enhancing Bangladesh's global image and expand its labour sector.  

The minister made this request when the US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen paid a courtesy call on him at the Secretariat here.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed various issues of mutual interest and the Bangladeshi minister expressed his gratitude to the United States for its continued support in various sectors.

The minister noted that there are significant opportunities to work jointly with the US to improve labour standards and ensure workers' rights. He also informed that the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Act, 2026 has been passed in the national parliament in alignment with the 11-point recommendations put forward by the United States of America.

Ambassador Christensen welcomed the amendment to the labour law and expressed satisfaction that the proposed 11 points and conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) have been incorporated into the revised law.

He emphasized on the importance of effectively implementing the law, including the prompt issuance of necessary rules, particularly in the context of bilateral trade and other agreements.

In response to a question, the minister assured that the required rules would be issued soon to ensure swift implementation of the law. 

He also requested technical assistance from the United States to raise awareness among workers regarding labour rights and safe and decent working conditions.

The ambassador commended the Ministry of Labour and Employment for simplifying and modernizing the trade union registration process, as well as for taking initiatives to adjust workers' wages every three years.

Both the sides expressed optimism that the long-standing relationship between Bangladesh and the United States would be further strengthened in the future.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the US Embassy, including Secretary of the ministry Abdur Rahman Tarafder, Joint Secretary Abdus Samad Al Azad, US Embassy Counselor Eric Gillan and Labour Attaché‚ Leena Khan, were present at the meeting.