A new era for decent work: Bangladesh aligns with international standards on occupational safety and workplace dignity

DHAKA, ILO NEWS- Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hussain, Honourable Adviser, Ministry of Labour and Employment and Ministry of Shipping attended the event as the Chief Guest and Mr. Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy on International Affairs to the Chief Adviser (Adviser Status), Chief Adviser’s Office attended the event as Special Guest.

Honourable Advisor stated, for LDC graduation, the world expects us to be a country that respects every human and for us the first thing to do was to ensure that our workers get decent working conditions. The ratifications and approval of Bangladesh Labour Act Ordinance are our step to the right direction.

Mr. Lutfey Siddiqi in his remarks as Specia Guest mentioned, social dialogue is the way to reach any resolution. There is no trade off between decent working conditions and functioning business. And economic objectives. Establishment of the national tripartite consultative council (NTCC) is ensuring that workers’ and employers’ voices are reflected on labour matters.

Dr. Md. Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan, honourable Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment stated that the ratifications reaffirm the ministry’s commitment in upholding workers’ rights. Moving forward the ministrty will work closely with the workers and employers to ensure these conventions are effectively implemented.

Appreciating the interim govt’s commitment and emphasising on ILO’s historic partnership with Bangladesh, Max Tuñón, Country Director, ILO Bangladesh stated, “these ratifications send a strong signal around the world. They show Bangladesh's commitment to advancing decent work and its readiness for the modern regulations, robust labour institutions and productive workplaces where workers feel protected and respected…ILO remains fully committed to walking this path with you all, ensuring that these rights embodied in the conventions, translate into real changes in workplaces across the country.”

Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union in Bangladesh, representing Team Europe Initiative stated that The EU’s partnership with Bangladesh has been and will continue to be rooted in respect for fundamental rights and the creation of economic opportunity. With Bangladesh’s LDC status around the corner, EU’s GSP+ will continue to allow Bangladesh preferential market access, as a value based partnership linking market access to the implementation of international conventions on labour and human rights, environmental protection, and good governance.

Mr. Md. Habibur Rahman, member of the National Tripartite Consultative Council (NTCC) representing workers attended the event as Guest of Honour. Both workers’ and employers’ representatives stated their commitments to work closely with government to implement the conventions to ensure decent workplace for workers, better trade opportunities for employers and enhance Bangladesh’s global reputation in international trade and commerce.

About the ratifications:

On 20 November 2025, at the ILO headquarters in Geneva, Brigadier General (R) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hussain, Honourable Advisor to the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) and Ministry of Shipping, met with Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, the ILO Director-General, and deposited the instruments of ratification for the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187), and the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) . With these ratifications, Bangladesh becomes the first country in Asia region to ratify all ILO fundamental Conventions, and a Protocol, and the first country in South Asia to ratify ILO Convention No.190.