Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain has said the interim government has achieved remarkable international recognition over the past year by implementing wide-ranging labour reforms.

He noted that the progress was made possible through strong tripartite cooperation among workers, employers and the government, marking a significant step forward for the country’s labour sector.
“This collaboration has elevated Bangladesh to new heights in labour rights, industrial harmony, and global acceptance,” he said.

He made these remarks at a press briefing held on Monday in the meeting room of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said a ministry press release.
The Adviser highlighted the government’s significant development and progress in the labour sector.
He informed reporters that the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Ordinance, 202 was gazetted on November 17, 2025.

The ordinance introduces several groundbreaking reforms, including the rights to organize for domestic and agricultural workers, 120 days of maternity leave, a ban on blacklisting, reducing the requirement for trade union registration to 20 members, and establishing a mandatory future fund.

Additionally, the Unemployed Workers Protection Programme (UWPP) Implementation Policy 2025 has been launched, and the Customs Service has been declared an essential service.
The annual wage growth rate in the garment sector has been increased from 5% to 9%. The minimum wage for seven industrial sectors has been revised, with efforts underway to include 21 more sectors under this framework.

Dr. Sakhawat Hossain added that Tk 575 crore in loan assistance has been provided to 31,669 workers and officials of Beximco Group, while Tk 31.67 crore has been paid to 17,134 workers and employees of NASA Group.

Steps have been taken to issue Interpol Red Alerts against employers who fled abroad without paying workers’ dues, he said.
Furthermore, 347 new trade unions have been registered, and 44 political cases involving 48,000 workers have been withdrawn. A total of 3,453 children have been removed from labor, 11,691 inspections conducted, and 16 cases filed.
The government has established 347 child daycare centers in garment factories and provided maternity benefits worth Tk 32.65 crore to 1,270 women workers.
More than Tk 80 crore has been distributed to 22,948 workers and their families through the Central Fund and the Workers Welfare Foundation for medical, death, and educational assistance.

Additionally, 1,755 unemployed workers have received Tk 1.57 crore with funding from the European Union, and 81 individuals have received Tk 1.04 crore under the Employment Injury Scheme.

The advisor noted that ILO Conventions 155, 187, and 190 have been ratified and officially transmitted to the International Labour Organization.
With these ratifications, Bangladesh has become the only country in South Asia to ratify all 10 fundamental ILO conventions.
The country has also been elected coordinator of 45 nations in the Asia-Pacific region (ASPAG), and a memorandum of understanding on the employment injury insurance system has been signed with South Korea.

He further highlighted that the National Occupational Health and Safety, Research and Training Institute (NOSHTRI) has been launched in Rajshahi.A new labour court has been established in Mymensingh, where 13,013 cases have been settled.
The government has collected Tk 9 crore in revenue through the renewal of 9,302 new and 35,012 existing licenses. Additionally, the process of forming a new Department of Employment is underway, and 435 people have secured employment through job fairs.
The adviser emphasized that these achievements reflect the joint efforts of workers, employers, and the government, creating a strong foundation for a modern, safe, and internationally aligned labor sector in Bangladesh.

He expressed confidence that this progress would continue to uphold workers’ rights, ensure industrial stability, and support the nation’s economic development.Secretary of the Labour and Employment and senior officials were also present at the press briefing.