Together, we'll build a Bangladesh where all workers' rights are protected: State minister

State Minister for Labour and Employment Nazrul Islam Chowdhury has emphasised the government's commitment to labour reform.

"Our dedication to promote decent work and advance social justice remain steadfast. Together, we will build a Bangladesh where all workers' rights are protected, and their contributions valued," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a national dialogue.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder dialogues on certain labour-related issues.

"Employment generation and decent work are in the highest priorities during the present five-year term of the current government," he said.

"These principles are deeply integrated into our national development strategies, including the GB roadmap (2021-2026) and National Action Plan on the Labour Sector of Bangladesh (2021-2026)," said the foreign secretary.

"These are essential for fostering sustainable growth, including increased trade and investments," he said.

The government, industry and labour sector stakeholders convened in Dhaka for a national dialogue on 'Promoting Decent Work for Social Justice,' underscoring Bangladesh's commitment to labour reform for equitable and sustained growth as the country prepares for sustainable graduation to an upper middle-income, developing country by the end of this decade.

Organised jointly, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) at the Foreign Service Academy, the dialogue aimed at engaging the stakeholders on key issues, with a call for actionable outcomes for quality employment and decent work.

The dialogue brought together diverse views contributing to shaping a future where decent work and competitiveness of businesses are ensured and supported by national development strategies.

It facilitated constructive conversations, knowledge-sharing, and partnership-building among government officials, employers, workers, think tanks, private sector representatives, and development partners.

Mahbub Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said, "Our joint efforts have generated concrete, actionable policies aimed at improving the livelihoods of our workforce as well as safeguarding their fundamental rights and safety in the workplace."

ILO Country Director for Bangladesh, Tuomo Poutiainen said to support successful LDC graduation, Bangladesh must advance key development goals, including prioritising jobs creation, evidence-based wage policies and robust OSH standards.

"The ILO continues to stand as a committed partner to the Government of Bangladesh in achieving these objectives."

The discussions delved into three key panel discussions: the Global Accelerator for Jobs, the development of an Evidence-Based National Wage Policy and advancing Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in Bangladesh.

Each segment sheds light on the challenges and opportunities within the world of work. Key stakeholders from the government, employers, and workers gave valuable insights and emphasised the need for a collective approach to ensure decent work and foster social justice.

He said Bangladesh is also at a pivotal moment in its growth trajectory and is faced with several critical challenges, especially on the verge of the gradation process from LDC status.

"While LDC graduation signifies progress, it also means the potential loss of GSP facilities and duty-free access for exports, which will impose tighter competition for Bangladeshi products in international markets. The nation will need to comply with stricter WTO rules and trade compliance requirements of European markets, including the EU's new due diligence laws, which promote responsible business conduct and sustainable sourcing practices.

"Bangladesh needs to ensure compliance with labour standards, environmental regulations, and good governance practices throughout its supply chain."

He added that going forward, it will be particularly important to effectively implement the Labour Sector Roadmap (2021-2026) and the National Action Plan (NAP) engaging employers' and workers' organisations.

"As Bangladesh prepares for its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, it may face crucial challenges in reforming its labour sector, particularly in establishing a comprehensive national wage policy.

"This policy aims to replace the current ad-hoc wage determination methods with a systematic, evidence-based approach across all sectors. By addressing prevailing wage disparities and ensuring that wages are sufficient for maintaining a decent standard of living, the policy can promote social and economic equity for workers and their families," he said.