The Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which was approved by the interim government, is set to be implemented and presented to the parliament in the near future, according to Mahdi Amin, the prime minister’s adviser on labor and employment. Amin expressed commitment to expediting the enactment process during his address at the 356th Governing Body session of the International Labour Organization in Geneva on Monday.
The speech delivered to the ILO Governing Body highlighted the advancements made by Bangladesh in aligning its labor standards with global norms. The amendment signifies a significant stride towards promoting decent work practices in Bangladesh, Amin remarked. He emphasized that the amendments are in line with the electoral promises of the ruling party, serving as a catalyst for reform.
Key modifications introduced by the amendment include broadening the scope of the Labor Act to encompass enhanced freedom of association and collective bargaining rights for previously excluded workers. Amin reaffirmed the government’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding human rights, including freedom of expression and association.
The amended law features provisions such as lowering the minimum membership threshold for trade union registration, streamlining documentation requirements, fortifying confidentiality protections, eliminating penalties for unregistered union activities, preventing arbitrary rejection of applications, increasing the maximum number of unions allowed in a factory, and banning worker blacklisting. Additionally, the amendments bolster penalties for various violations, including anti-union discrimination, unfair labor practices, child labor, and gender-based violence and harassment. Notably, the law criminalizes forced labor and worker blacklisting.
Furthermore, the amendments expand avenues for social dialogue by recognizing national-level trade union confederations and establishing a National Social Dialogue Forum. They also introduce measures for institutionalizing an employment injury scheme, enhancing occupational safety and health protocols, revising minimum wages every three years, and clearly defining sexual violence and harassment.
To complement these changes, efforts are underway to review the Bangladesh Labour Rules. The Export Processing Zones Authority has entered into a two-year agreement with the ILO to align the EPZ Labor Act with the amended Labor Act. Amin disclosed that Bangladesh has bolstered its labor inspection department and implemented a digitalized labor inspection system. Additionally, the country has operationalized six new labor courts, reduced case backlogs, and introduced an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution system.
Moreover, Bangladesh has resolved all 45 criminal cases filed against labor leaders and workers following the November 2023 minimum wage protests. The country has ratified three major ILO Conventions recently, making it the first Asian nation to ratify all fundamental conventions. With 39 ILO Conventions and one Protocol ratified, Bangladesh leads the region in adherence to international labor standards.
Amin urged the ILO Governing Body to acknowledge the progress made in implementing Conventions 81, 87, and 98 and close the case by consensus. The labor reforms roadmap initiated in response to a complaint filed in 2019 has seen significant advancements, with the current government presenting the ninth progress report in the latest ILO Governing Body session.
