Labour law reforms extend full worker protections to domestic helpers, seafarers

Law advisor says the decree has received policy approval from a separate secretariat of the judiciary

The Advisory Council has approved a Labour Law Amendment Ordinance that formally recognises domestic workers and seafarers as labourers, extending legal protection to these groups.

The ordinance was approved on Thursday at a council meeting presided over by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus at Tejgaon.

In a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul said: “The ordinance includes several measures to safeguard workers’ welfare. Bangladesh faces an ongoing ILO complaint, and the recommendations from development partners have been considered.”

Nazrul explained key amendments:

• Labour law now applies to non-profit organisations;
• Domestic helpers and seafarers will receive legal protection as workers;
• The practice of blacklisting workers with prior complaints, which prevented them from finding employment elsewhere, has been declared illegal;
• Trade union formation and registration made easier;
• Gender pay discrimination for the same work has been prohibited;
• Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms have been strengthened;
• A rehabilitation fund will be established for workplace accidents.

“These reforms aim to ensure workers’ rights are respected and provide them with meaningful legal protections,” Nazrul added.