Max Tunon, Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) country office for Bangladesh, has highly commended the workers' welfare facilities and labour management programmes implemented at the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (EPZ).
Tunon said the longstanding partnership between the ILO and the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) will continue to grow even stronger in the years ahead.
He made these remarks following his visit to Dhaka EPZ on July 15, 2026, where he praised BEPZA’s ongoing initiatives to ensure the well-being of the zone's workers.
The ILO Country Director was accompanied by Saad Gilani, Programme Manager of the ILO Social Protection Project, and Tanjilut Tasnuba, Senior Programme Manager of the ILO Country Office for Bangladesh.
Md. Shariful Islam, Executive Director of Dhaka EPZ, delivered a comprehensive presentation covering the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Act, 2019, the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Rules, 2022, occupational safety and health, compliance mechanisms, workers' rights, and various welfare and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Md. Khorshid Alam, Executive Director (Enterprise Services) of BEPZA, also elaborated on the authority’s labour-friendly policies, regulatory framework, and compliance practices.
The ILO team engaged in an open, interactive discussion with representatives of the Workers’ Welfare Associations (WWAs).
The session focused on workers' rights, workplace conditions, grievance handling, and the active role of WWAs in fostering harmonious industrial relations. The workers' representatives shared their experiences, noting the positive, collaborative environment and strong welfare facilities within the enterprises.
To mark the occasion, Tunon planted an olive sapling on the Dhaka EPZ premises alongside WWA representatives.
The delegation also toured the production facilities at YKK Bangladesh PTE. LTD. and Shanta Industries Limited. During these factory visits, they inspected daycare centres and interacted directly with management and workers to observe workplace practices and compliance standards firsthand, according to a press release.