ITUC-Asia Pacific and affiliates push for genuine labour reforms in Bangladesh, not empty commitments

ITUC-Asia Pacific supports its affiliates in Bangladesh in calling for the full and transparent implementation of the International Labour Organization (ILO) roadmap, which outlines critical labour rights reforms that Bangladesh must undertake to comply with international labour standards. Following the review at the 353rd Session of the ILO Governing Body in Geneva, ITUC-Asia Pacific and its affiliates acknowledge the interim government’s initial steps to address labour rights concerns, but they remain deeply concerned about the persistent gaps in labour law reforms, trade union registration, and the enforcement of workers’ rights.

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“The Government of Bangladesh’s latest report heavily focuses on statistical achievements rather than demonstrating the lived realities of workers in the country,” said ITUC-Asia Pacific General Secretary Shoya Yoshida. “While numbers may suggest reforms on paper, workers on the ground continue to face precarity in their working conditions as well as significant barriers in exercising their fundamental rights. ITUC-Asia Pacific supports its affiliates in urging the Bangladesh government to fully implement the ILO roadmap, including meaningful labour law reforms, a fair trade union registration, and stronger enforcement mechanisms to uphold justice and dignity for all workers.”

Shakil Akhter Choudhary, General Secretary of ITUC-Bangladesh Council, reinforced this concerns, stating “Workers in Bangladesh continue to face serious obstacles to exercising their fundamental rights. Trade union registration remains restrictive, and anti-union discrimination persists. The government must take decisive action to honour its commitments and ensure genuine protections for workers.”

Persistent challenges in labour rights protection

Despite the government’s claims of progress, significant gaps in labour rights protections remain, as follows:

• Trade union recommendations for labour law reforms are unaddressed. Labour rights protections are not fully aligned with international standards and do not cover all workers, including those in informal and precarious employment.
• Trade union registration remains restrictive. The requirement to submit hard copies within three days of online applications causes unnecessary delays, and many unions report rejections without clear justification. These bureaucratic hurdles directly undermine workers' right to freedom of association.
• Labour inspection is weak. The government claims to have conducted 15,576 inspections in six months, but with only 441 inspectors, the capacity to conduct meaningful inspections and enforce compliance is highly questionable. High-risk sectors like construction and shipbreaking remain largely unregulated, exposing workers to dangerous conditions.
• Anti-union discrimination persists. Workers and union leaders continue to face intimidation and unfair dismissals. While the government has introduced training programmes, these lack meaningful trade union involvement and fail to address the root causes of labour rights violations.
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Call for genuine, meaningful reforms

ITUC-AP and its affiliates insist that real reforms must go beyond superficial measures and deliver meaningful improvements in workers’ lives. They call on the Bangladesh government to take concrete steps to:

• Remove legal barriers preventing informal and precarious workers from accessing labour protections.
• Ensure that trade union registration is based on a reasonable minimum threshold rather than percentage-based restrictions.
• Strengthen labour courts by increasing the number of judges and expediting case resolutions.
• Establish an independent and transparent complaints mechanism to address anti-union discrimination and unfair labour practices.

These demands are widely shared by trade unions on the ground, who highlight the selective implementation of policies and the failure to extend protections to all workers.

“With the ILO Governing Body set to review Bangladesh’s labour rights situation again in March 2026, ITUC-Asia Pacific and its affiliates will continue to push for urgent reforms. The Bangladesh government cannot afford to delay action. Workers in Bangladesh deserve more than empty promises—they need genuine, lasting reforms that protect their rights, dignity, and livelihoods,” said Shoya Yoshida.

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