United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday underscored the critical role of labour reforms in attracting large-scale foreign direct investment to Bangladesh.  Speaking at a discussion followed by dinner, he reaffirmed the interim government’s commitment to implementing key reforms, aligned with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, before the upcoming national election in February. The high-level dinner hosted at the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the United Nations brought together diplomats, UN officials and senior political leaders from Bangladesh for a focused dialogue on labour laws, workers’ rights, and ongoing reform efforts in the country. Leaders from three major political parties in Bangladesh participated, contributing to an open and constructive exchange on labour issues. The discussion, moderated by Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser, included comments from the Director-General of the ILO and senior representatives from various UN agencies. Participants commented on the broader implications of labour reform for Bangladesh’s economic future and international standing, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Before the formal address by the Chief Adviser, political leaders from the three major parties were invited to share informal remarks.  Each emphasised the importance of the garment industry and expressed support for continued labour sector reform. Key issues that Prof Yunus may raise in UNGA speech Friday  

Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi has said post-uprising Bangladesh must approach meaningful labour reforms with greater confidence, speed and accountability than ever before, with unprecedented levels of social dialogue. "This is not only a moral obligation from the perspective of governance and human rights, it is imperative for the enlightened self-interest of our business community for favourable terms of access to key markets," he said.   The issues were discussed when European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller met him on Wednesday. Made ‘dramatic progress’ on labour reforms: Lutfey Siddiqi tells foreign diplomats "It was a pleasure to catch up on this and other issues with EU Ambassador Michael Miller when he called on me yesterday (Wednesday). We’re grateful for his support," Siddiqi said. "I’m looking forward to meeting a delegation of EU parliamentarians next month," said the Special Envoy in a post from his verified Facebook account on Thursday.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the interim government is committed to implementing important labour reforms to take the country's labour laws to ILO standards. "We've already taken some moves. You will see the changes very soon," he said when leaders of Nirapon, which works for the improvement of worker safety in Bangladesh's hundreds of factories, called on Dr Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday. Simone Sultana, chair of Nirapon, and Tapan Chowdhury, independent director of the group, led the team. Representatives of top Western brands and retailers joined the meeting. ILO-BGMEA discuss workers’ rights, labour law reforms Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser, said the interim goverment has already signed an 18-point agreement with labour unions and manufacturers, which brought stability to the sector and helped boost garment exports. Simone Sultana thanked the Chief Adviser for his efforts to initiate reforms in the garment industry. She noted that Nirapon, with its local partners BRAC and Amader Kotha, plays a leading role in developing and delivering innovative tools to enable factories to manage their safety. Representatives of brands also expressed their satisfaction with the improving factory safety in the country. Govt urged to reform labour law to ensure tea workers’ rights Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary and Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs, and Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) chairman were among those present on the occasion.