Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (R) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain . File photo

DHAKA, Dec 9, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh has reached an unprecedented level of global recognition in the labour sector after implementing a wide range of comprehensive reforms over the past year.

Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (R) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain has credited the progress to effective tripartite cooperation among workers, employers and the government.

"This collaboration has elevated Bangladesh to new heights in labour rights, industrial harmony, and global acceptance."

He highlighted a series of major achievements, including the gazetting of the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, on November 17. 

The ordinance introduces historic reforms-granting domestic and agricultural workers the right to organize, extending maternity leave to 120 days, banning the blacklisting of workers, reducing the minimum requirement for union formation to 20 members, and establishing a mandatory future fund.

Other key advancements include the launch of the Unemployed Workers Protection Programme (UWPP) Implementation Policy 2025 and the declaration of the Customs Service as an essential service.

In terms of economic benefits, the annual wage growth rate in the garment sector has been raised from 5% to 9%. The minimum wage in seven industrial sectors has already been revised, with plans underway to expand the revisions to 21 additional sectors.

The Adviser reported significant disbursements of financial assistance such as Tk 575 crore in loan support for 31,669 Beximco Group workers and officials, Tk 31.67 crore paid to 17,134 NASA Group employees, Tk 80 crore distributed through the Central Fund and the Workers Welfare Foundation to 22,948 workers and families. 

Tk 1.57 crore provided to 1,755 unemployed workers with EU funding while Tk 1.04 crore extended to 81 individuals under the Employment Injury Scheme.

He also confirmed that Interpol Red Alerts are being pursued against employers who fled abroad without paying workers' dues.

In the area of labour rights and workplace safety, significant progress has been made. As part of the progress, 347 new trade unions registered, 44 political cases involving 48,000 workers withdrawn, 3,453 children removed from labour, 11,691 inspections conducted and 16 cases filed for violations.

The government has also established 347 child daycare centres in garment factories and provided Tk 32.65 crore in maternity benefits to 1,270 women.

Bangladesh's international standing has strengthened with the ratification of the ILO Conventions 155, 187. 

The country has also been elected coordinator of 45 nations in the Asia-Pacific (ASPAG) region and signed an MoU with South Korea on employment injury insurance.

Major institutional developments include the launch of the National Occupational Health and Safety, Research and Training Institute (NOSHTRI) in Rajshahi, the establishment of a new labour court in Mymensingh which has already settled 13,013 cases, and ongoing work to form a new Department of Employment.

The government collected Tk 9 crore from the renewal of over 44,000 licenses, while 435 job seekers secured employment through job fairs.

Dr. Sakhawat emphasized that these achievements reflect strong unity between workers, employers, and the government, creating a solid foundation for a modern, safe, and globally aligned labour sector.

He expressed confidence that the momentum would continue, ensuring workers' rights, strengthening industrial stability, and supporting Bangladesh's long-term economic development.