Govt seeks early disposal of ILO complaint, cites labour reforms

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury yesterday urged the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to expedite the disposal of the complaint pending against Bangladesh under Article 26, saying the country had made significant progress in reforming its labour sector.

He made the call during a bilateral meeting with ILO Director-General Gilbert F Houngbo at the secretariat, where they discussed labour law reforms, employment generation, workers’ rights and compliance with international labour standards.

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An Article 26 complaint is the ILO’s highest-level investigative process. It allows countries or ILO delegates to file a formal complaint against a member state for failing to comply with a ratified labour convention.

According to a labour ministry press release, Ariful said the government remained committed to protecting workers’ rights and ensuring safe working conditions.

He said the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Act, 2026, was enacted as part of efforts to align the country’s labour laws with international standards.

The minister said Bangladesh had ratified all 10 of the ILO’s fundamental conventions, making it the first country in Asia to do so.

He said the government was working to amend the Bangladesh Labour Rules, 2015, establish a tripartite National Social Dialogue Forum, introduce an independent alternative dispute resolution mechanism, and launch a digital case management system.

He also said steps were underway to nationalise the Employment Injury Scheme to expand social protection for workers in both the formal and informal sectors.

The minister said the government was setting up a directorate of employment under the ministry to strengthen employment services by establishing employment exchanges at the district and upazila levels and expanding skills development and self-employment opportunities.

On overseas employment, he said the government was working to send workers abroad, including to Malaysia, through transparent and lower-cost recruitment while taking action against irregularities and recruitment syndicates.

Seeking greater technical and institutional support from the ILO, Ariful said Bangladesh had made substantial progress in implementing the organisation’s roadmap, including strengthening labour inspection.

He urged the ILO to consider the reforms and expedite the disposal of the Article 26 complaint against Bangladesh.

The ILO director-general welcomed Bangladesh’s recent labour reforms, including the ratification of all 10 fundamental ILO conventions and the enactment of the Labour (Amendment) Act, 2026, the press release read.

He reaffirmed the ILO’s support for Bangladesh in promoting freedom of association, improving labour standards across all sectors, including export processing zones, protecting migrant workers, and creating employment opportunities.

The ILO would continue to provide policy and technical support, including through a proposed joint mission in October, he said.

Labour Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafdar, ILO Country Director Max Tunon, and senior officials from the ministry and the ILO attended the meeting.