Bangladesh ratifies 3 ILO Conventions to strengthen workers’ rights

In a landmark step for labour rights, Bangladesh on Wednesday ratified three major conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), reaffirming its commitment to safer, fairer and more inclusive workplaces.

The signing ceremony, held at the State Guest House Jamuna, was attended by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who described the day as “memorable in the history of workers’ rights in Bangladesh.”

Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Employment and Shipping, signed the ratification documents in the presence of the Chief Adviser. Also present were Lutfey Siddiqui, Special Envoy for International Affairs to the Chief Adviser; Md Mahmudul Hossain Khan, Secretary to the Office of the Chief Adviser; ILO Country Director in Bangladesh Max Tunon; and other senior officials.

The three conventions are:

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155)

Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187)

Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190)

Among these, Conventions 155 and 187 were declared fundamental conventions by the ILO in 2022, recognising them as essential pillars of global labour standards.

Recalling the Rana Plaza tragedy of 2013, Professor Yunus said the disaster had left a lasting moral obligation to reform Bangladesh’s labour practices.

“After Rana Plaza, there were promises but little action. We said it would no longer be ‘it will be done’ — we will do it,” he said. “Signing today means benefiting all of us. This is only the beginning; the real work lies in implementation.”

He added: “The responsibility that the workers of Rana Plaza entrusted to us with their lives has reached a milestone today. I promised myself that I would see this through — and I am happy that we have reached that stage.”

Adviser Dr Sakhawat Hossain called it “a significant day for the interim government”, noting that the success came through persistent teamwork and leadership from the Chief Adviser.

“Everyone worked tirelessly on this. The Chief Adviser has been guiding us at every step. The interim government has been working sincerely from the outset to protect workers’ rights,” he said.

Special Envoy Lutfe Siddiqui described the process as “a challenging yet rewarding journey”, referring to Bangladesh’s active participation at the recent Geneva conference as a key moment in the effort.

ILO Country Director Max Tunon congratulated the interim government on its decisive action, pledging continued technical and policy support to ensure the conventions are implemented effectively.

“This ratification demonstrates Bangladesh’s strong commitment to protecting workers and aligning with international labour standards,” he said, adding that the ILO would also assist in implementing recommendations from the Labour Law Reform Commission and in promoting a cross-party labour charter ahead of the upcoming national election.

With the ratification of these three conventions, Bangladesh has become the only country in South Asia to have ratified all 10 fundamental ILO conventions, setting a new regional benchmark for labour rights and workplace safety.

Experts say the move could greatly improve Bangladesh’s global image in the garments and manufacturing sectors—long criticised for unsafe working conditions—and strengthen its position in international trade negotiations.