Govt reaffirms labour reform commitment ahead of Feb polls

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed the interim government’s commitment to implementing key labour reforms ahead of the upcoming national elections in February.

Speaking at a high-level dinner hosted at Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Prof Yunus emphasised that these reforms; aligned with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, are central to improving workers’ rights and attracting long-term foreign investment to Bangladesh.

The event brought together diplomats, senior UN officials and prominent political leaders from Bangladesh for a focused discussion on the state of labour laws and ongoing reform efforts in the country.

The evening was moderated by Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser, and featured remarks from ILO Director-General and other senior UN representatives.

Leaders from the three major political parties in Bangladesh participated in the discussion and expressed broad support for labour reform, particularly in the garments sector, which was repeatedly described as vital to the national economy.

In informal remarks before the Chief Adviser’s speech, political leaders shared personal reflections and party perspectives on how to strengthen labour protections and ensure the sector’s continued growth.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), highlighted the garments industry as a pillar of the country’s economy.

He acknowledged the interim government’s steps toward reform and said any future administration must build upon this momentum to ensure the industry’s sustainability.

Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Nayeb-e-Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, noted that many members of his party have direct experience working in or with the garments sector.
He argued that this gives Jamaat valuable insight into the industry’s challenges and potential and expressed support for the government’s current reform initiatives, with a commitment to deepen them if elected.

Humayun Kabir, Foreign Affairs Adviser to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, echoed similar sentiments.

He praised the interim government’s labour initiatives and called for an expansion of these efforts under any future government. All speakers agreed on the urgent need for Bangladesh to secure fairer pricing for its garment exports. One speaker remarked, “It should not be the buyer who always dictates the terms,” a comment that received consensus across party lines.

Dr Tasnim Jara, a senior leader of Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), offered a deeply personal account of how Rana Plaza tragedy shaped her political values. As a medical student at the time, she had volunteered to care for the injured.

“That incident shaped my politics,” she said, underscoring the human cost of unsafe labour conditions and the moral urgency of reform.

In his closing remarks, Prof Yunus reaffirmed that the interim government remains determined to implement substantial and lasting reforms before the February elections.

He stressed that progress in labour rights and workplace safety is not only essential for Bangladesh’s global standing but also for the well-being and dignity of its workers.

The event concluded on a note of rare political consensus, with all participants recognising the critical importance of labour reform to the nation’s future.