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Most of Bangladesh's 80 million workers lack legal protection, says the commission chief
Published : 21 Apr 2025, 11:03 PM
The Labour Reform Commission has recommended introducing a national minimum wage and making Bangladesh’s labour laws “universal” to safeguard workers' rights across all sectors.
To address labour unrest, it has also proposed creating a wage payment fund capable of covering two months’ salaries for workers in export-oriented industries.
The commission, headed by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, executive director of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), submitted its report to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Monday.
Later in the afternoon, Sultan presented a summary of the findings at a press conference at the Sromo Bhaban, or Labour Building, in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar.
“Most workers in the country are unrecognised,” Sultan said. “That is why we have proposed universal labour rights. The identity of workers in every sector must be ensured.”
News of workers' exploitation in both the country's export sector and local industries often makes headlines.
The apparel sector, in particular, frequently sees protests, strikes, blockades, and vandalism, primarily due to dissatisfaction over unpaid wages.
The commission placed a strong emphasis on timely wage payments as a means to prevent labour unrest.
It has suggested imposing daily fines on factory owners who fail to pay wages on time.
In order to ensure wage payments during emergencies such as natural disasters, export disruptions, or factory closures, the panel proposed setting up a dedicated fund.
Entrepreneurs will be required to deposit the equivalent of two months’ wages for their workers into the fund.
The fund will be managed jointly by the entrepreneurs, the Department of Labour, and government representatives.
In times of need, either the entrepreneurs or the government can use the funds to pay workers.
In response to a question, Sultan said: "Here [in the export sector], the issue of workers' outstanding salaries and allowances arises. There is a risk of sudden export cessation or delays in receiving payments.
“Every district currently has an assigned government representative to look after the welfare of informal sector workers,” he added.
The report also recommends reclassifying industrial entrepreneurs as “employers” instead of “owners” in labour laws.
It proposes that even workers hired for a single day must receive a contract or identification document.
The commission has also advocated for the creation of a central database encompassing all workers nationwide.
Sultan said: “Workers in the service sector who are self-employed will be able to register themselves on the database website.
“This registration will serve as their worker identification."
The reform commission believes this method can help identify independent workers such as fishermen, rickshaw-pullers, day labourers, and street vendors.
Currently, a certain proportion of total workers' support is required for workers in any industry to form a trade union.
The commission proposes allowing unions to form based on a fixed number of workers instead and recommends simplifying the bargaining process.
Sultan said there are 80 million workers in the country, most of whom lack legal protection.
To address this, the commission’s report calls for the establishment of a national minimum wage.
The report also recommends replacing the word “female” with “woman” in labour laws.
It advises developing and implementing an anti-sexual harassment policy in line with the 2009 High Court directive.
It also proposes extending maternity leave to six months in all institutions.
In addition, the commission recommends swift withdrawal of cases filed against workers during recent labour protests.
Sultan said the 458-page report was prepared over five months through discussions with workers, entrepreneurs, and small and medium business owners across the country.
Divided into four parts, the report offers 25 key recommendations.
