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

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:

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