Yunus asks officials to upgrade Bangladesh’s labour law to international standards

He issues the directive ahead of the 353rd session of the International Labour Organisation in Geneva

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has asked officials to reform the labour law to meet global standards to improve the living conditions of millions of workers employed in different sectors in Bangladesh.

He issued the directive during a meeting with the officials of the Labour and Employment Ministry ahead of the 353rd session of the International Labour Organisation, or ILO, on Wednesday, the Chief Advisor’s Office said in a statement.

The ILO session is set to be held in Geneva, a city in Switzerland, between Mar 10 and 20.

Labour and Employment Advisor M Sakhawat Hussain will lead the Bangladeshi delegation in the session.

Yunus said, “We have to do everything positive and get things done. We are not here to make excuses.”

He asked the officials to ensure insurance coverage and healthcare benefits for workers in the country's labour sector.

Special Envoy to the Chief Advisor Lutfey Siddiqi, who joined the meeting online and is expected to be part of the Bangladesh delegation during the ILO session, said the country already made significant progress in the labour sector.

"There are some extremely positive improvements. But the feeling among experts is that we are yet to be there," he said.