United News of Bangladesh

Reviewing the past eight months of progress on labour reforms and outlining the government's roadmap ahead, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi on Monday conveyed to the top Western nations ambassadors and high commissioners that they have made a ‘dramatic progress’. He held a high-level meeting with the envoys, including from the US, the UK, Canada, European Union and ILO at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon to review the past eight months of progress on labour reforms and outline the government's roadmap ahead. He was joined by technical experts and labour rights specialists. Lutfey delivered the first full summary of the government’s reform efforts since July 2024. “Over the past eight months, we’ve made dramatic progress,” Lutfey said. “The ILO roadmap is not just a guide — it’s a commitment. We’re investing time, energy and goodwill to get this right both in terms of process and outcome”. He commended the personal engagement and moral authority of Labour Adviser Dr Sakhawat Hossain who spent hours with tripartite stakeholders to bring them along. Labour Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman said, “We are targeting July 2025 for conclusion of Labour law amendments and other substantial milestones. The process is moving fast.” Govt committed to inclusive labour reforms, seeks global support: Adviser Sakhawat European Union Ambassador Michael Miller called the process “unprecedented,” adding, “We note that there’s been a lot of social dialogue and we appreciate the sense of urgency. We look forward to seeing the draft legislation soon and track tangible improvements on the ground. Resolution of this has implications for continued access to EU markets.” US Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson said, “We welcome the momentum under the current government and would also like to see accountability for past violations.” Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh added, “We appreciate the work done so far and support the ILO roadmap. This is particularly important for Bangladesh in the context of LDC graduation.” British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said, “Bangladesh’s LDC graduation must be backed by strong labour standards. I echo others in expressing my appreciation for the seriousness with which the interim government of Bangladesh has approached this issue.” Labour Reform Commission submits report to CA ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen remarked, “We’re very close to shaping the updated Bangladesh Labour Act. What matters now is doing this in a way that stands the test of time and protects workers in the long run.” Legislative Secretary Dr Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury said, “We’ve made substantial legal progress, and our team is working closely with stakeholders”. Lutfey also briefed the diplomats on earlier inter-ministerial meetings with the Home, Labour, and Public Administration Ministries to address politically motivated cases from the previous regime, better dispute resolution mechanisms to avert logjam in courts, and the issue of insufficient capacity in inspector roles. “This is not just a domestic issue. Labour rights are now tied to market access, global trade decisions, including the tariff agenda of President Trump. We must act accordingly,” Lutfey said. The diplomats agreed that labour reforms and accountability must remain a priority across all political contexts. Several reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s transition. Washington lauds labour reforms, expects more; stands by RMG “The July uprising provides a unique opportunity for the Bangladesh government to do the right thing. We are grateful for the support from everyone as we approach the final stretch towards closing the case at the ILO governing board,” Lutfey said.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah has informed the foreign diplomats stationed here that the Election Commission is taking preparation assuming that the next general election in December. "We have told them that we have to take preparations by assuming the earliest date (to hold the election). Our position is still unchanged. We are taking preparations by assuming December. We do not have different preparations,” he told reporters after a meeting at Nirbachan Bhaban on Tuesday. The meeting  was held meeting between the Election Commission headed by  Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and foreign diplomats from 18 countries and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at Nirbachan Bhaban here. Responding to a question, he said the Election Commission (EC) may consider about holding local government elections before the national polls if the government makes such a request. Bangladesh’s general election scheduled for Dec 2025 "Based on past experience,conducting elections for five tiers of local government takes about a year. Not all local government institutions have become ineffective—some have. Given these conditional factors, it is not possible to provide a specific timeline," he said. He expressed confidence that the government would take the commission’s schedule into account. The commission will also remain vigilant to ensure that nothing disrupts the national elections,  EC Sanaullah assured. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Monday that Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus informed them that his government is working to arrange the next general election by December this year. EC working towards holding election in Dec 2025: Election Commissioner Anwarul “The Chief Adviser and those who were with him assured us that they will arrange the election very soon. He (Prof Yunus) has also said they are working to arrange the election by December this year,” Fakhrul said while talking to reporters after a meeting with the Chief Adviser. Mirza Fakhrul led a three-member BNP delegation during the 90-minute meeting with the Chief Adviser at state guest house Jamuna here in the evening.  

The government would take appropriate steps if any foreign diplomat crosses the line, said Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday (June 5, 2023). "There was such a phase six months ago. If it (crossing line) happens again, we will take steps taking that into cognisance. However, I am not aware of anything as of now," he said. Read more: ‘Undivided India’ map at new parliament: No reason for confusion, Dhaka waiting for official version from Delhi, says Shahriar Alam The State Minister made the remarks when a reporter drew his attention about Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori’s visit to the Election Commission and his meeting with a political party. Read more: Exaggeration, inconsistency in Congressmen’s letter: Shahriar Alam Earlier, former Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki made comments on Bangladesh's last national election, and Bangladesh described Naoki's comments on Bangladesh's election "unexpected."

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday told Parliament that the government has taken steps to prevent some foreign diplomats from remarking against the government regarding the internal affairs of Bangladesh before the media. "Some foreign ambassadors working in Bangladesh make statements against the government regarding the internal affairs of Bangladesh. Various measures have been taken to prevent them from giving such statements that go beyond etiquette," he said. Read more: Govt will guarantee full protection of all diplomats, says FM The minister said this while replying to a question from treasury bench lawmaker Abul Kalam Azad in the House. Momen said the diplomats who have commented on Bangladesh's internal affairs before journalists have been asked to explain their remarks. He said the diplomats concerned have been asked to clarify their stands and perform their responsibility following the diplomatic norms. The minister said the foreign envoys have been asked not to comment on the country's internal matters before the media rather to inform their words to the appropriate offices. "Some foreign diplomats have recently commented on the internal affairs of Bangladesh, which is tantamount to the interference into the internal affairs of an independent and sovereign country," he said. Read more: Media pursues diplomats to speak on Bangladesh’s internal affairs: Momen In reply to another question from Awami League MP Momota Hena Lovely, the Foreign Minister hoped that the foreign diplomats would refrain from joining the matters or events that is tantamount to the inference into the internal affairs of the country or something that creates controversy. But some of our institutions, especially the opposition parties and some media, encourage them to speak about their internal affairs time and again, which is not seen in other countries, he said. Referring to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the minister said the government will not prevent any foreign diplomats from attending any event that will help strengthen the bilateral relations. "Hopefully, the diplomats will maintain diplomatic etiquette in these events and refrain from making any comments that would be amount to interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh," he said.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (December 26, 2022) said the government will resolve internal issues of the country and foreign diplomats have to abide by the rules. The minister said this while talking to reporters at his ministry’s conference room at the Secretariat. Read: Get ready to face defeat: Obaidul to BNP “Foreign diplomats will not put anyone in office, the country’s people will. Foreign diplomats have to follow the (Convention) when they talk about internal affairs of our country. It’s the government who will solve the country’s problems, not them,” Quader said. Quader, also general secretary of ruling Awami League, added that the government does not tolerate “terrorist activities like torching vehicles and shops.” Read: Defeated forces resurrected to avenge: Obaidul Quader “We are always alert to prevent any kind of terrorism. We will take necessary steps if anyone creates chaos and causes public suffering. Law enforcement agencies are always active to tackle violence,” Quader added.

The International Affairs sub-committee of Bangladesh Awami League hosted an Iftar on Friday at a hotel in the capital in honor of foreign diplomats stationed here. Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Head of Missions including Indian High Commissioner Vikram Kumar Doraiswami, Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming, US Ambassador Peter Haas, Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Mantytsky, Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki, Australian High Commissioner Jeremy Bruer Jeremy Bruer, Turkish Ambassador Mustafa Osman Turan, German Ambassador Achim Tröster, Ambassador of Switzerland Nathalie Chuard, Charge d'Affaires at European Union Embassy and diplomats from Malaysia and Morocco joined. Also read:Thai Embassy organises Songkran Festival 2022 Awami League general secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader attended the iftar as the chief guest. Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam also attended the event while International Affairs Secretary of AL Shammi Ahmed welcomed the guests. Central AL leaders, senior journalists, representatives from the international organizations and members of the International Affairs sub-committee of Bangladesh Awami League attended the iftar.

Bangladesh does not want its foreign friends make comment on its domestic affairs including on election issues. It, however, sees nothing wrong in having interest about Bangladesh affairs by development partners, the foreign secretary said. Bangladesh also wants to draw a line between showing interest in  Dhaka's affairs and giving “lecture” as the country sees comments from diplomats on election issues.   Read: US donates another 6.2m Covid jabs to Bangladesh “Naturally, since they’re all our development partners, they might have interest,” said Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, noting that having interest and giving lecture are not the same thing. While responding to questions from reporters recently, the foreign secretary said the government will definitely warn them (foreign diplomats) if they cross the limit. Recently, a number of diplomats made comments on impending national elections and in some cases, the diplomats responded only when reporters sought comments.     “If you keep seeking comments from foreigners on our own elections, they’ll feel encouraged to make comments,” said the FS adding that the diplomats are making comments as reporters are seeking their comments. Masud Momen said they remain in touch with the diplomats based in Dhaka constantly and they sit with them on various issues. Read:Will take ties with Dhaka to even higher level: Jaishankar “We’ll never want see any foreign country’s interference in our domestic affairs,” he added. “We all need to be more tolerant and we need to behave in such a way so that we can resolve those issues internally, if there is any problem, before we talk to the foreigners.”   One of the diplomats - British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson – has recently said with international partners, they support the “plural and transparent” democracy in Bangladesh provided in the Constitution, including urging a “fair and credible” process for the elections due at the end of 2023.

The vaccination campaign for foreign diplomats began in Bangladesh on Wednesday, with over 30 getting vaccinated on the opening day.

A special North Korean flight carrying presumably dozens of diplomats and other foreigners arrived in Russia's Far East on Monday, as the North tightens a lockdown intended to fend off the coronavirus.