Yunus pledges labour reforms before February elections

He highlights the importance of reforming labour laws in line with International Labour Organization conventions in attracting foreign direct investment

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has reiterated his government’s commitment to implementing major labour reforms before the upcoming national elections in February.

He made the remarks as chief guest at a high-level dinner hosted at Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, where diplomats, UN officials and senior political figures gathered to discuss labour rights, laws and reforms, state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reports.

Leaders from three major Bangladeshi political parties also attended the event, which provided a platform for open and constructive dialogue on workers’ rights, according to BSS.

Yunus told participants that reforming labour laws in line with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions was critical to attracting foreign direct investment. The discussion, moderated by Lutfey Siddiqi, Yunus's special envoy, also featured the ILO director-general and senior UN officials.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir described the garments industry as “a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s economy” and said any future government must prioritise its growth. He acknowledged what he called the interim administration’s efforts to advance reforms.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher stressed that members of his party had direct experience in the garments sector, giving them “valuable insight” into how the industry might become more globally competitive.

Humayun Kabir, foreign affairs adviser to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, echoed support for labour reforms, saying they should be expanded by any incoming government.

Tasnim Jara, a senior leader of the National Citizen Party, recalled her experience treating victims of the Rana Plaza disaster as a medical student, saying the tragedy had shaped her politics. She argued that reforms must be driven by a focus on worker safety.

In his closing remarks, Yunus reaffirmed his government’s resolve to pursue “meaningful and lasting” labour reforms, according to the report.