United News of Bangladesh

Special Envoy on International Affairs to the Chief Adviser, Lutfey Siddiqi said that the government wants a decent working environment for the workers. “To enhance collaboration to upgrade labour standard and skills, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority has signed ‘Two Year Action Plan on Labour Reform 2025-27’ with International Labour Organisation (ILO),” he said while speaking as the chief guest at the signing ceremony. He said that the present working environment in Export Processing Zones under BEPZA is excellent, which will be sustainable and improve quality of labour by implementing this action plan. The signing ceremony was held at the BEPZA Headquarters in Green Road, Dhaka.  Chinese company to invest US$ 12.25 mln to establish a high-end garment industry in Mongla EPZ  Country Director of ILO Office for Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen and Executive Chairman of BEPZA Major General Abul Kalam Muhammad Ziaur Rahman signed deal documents on behalf of their respective sides. Through this signing collaboration between BEPZAand ILO was launched on the three areas. These are labour administration, responsible business conduct, model economic zones initiative and creation of employment opportunities, said the country director of ILO. BEPZA executive chairman mentioned reforming labour laws in line with the ratified conventions, enhancing strategic dialogue, more effective enforcement of labour laws by inspection, improving compliance and enhancing investor confidence in EPZs, and strengthening social protection mechanisms in EPZs. In addition, BEPZA and ILO will collaborate to enhance the skills of workers, he said. In its long-standing collaboration with ILO, BEPZA has already taken various initiatives to protect workers and create a better working environment in its factories. “On 26 February 2025, BEPZA signed a 'Letter of Intent' with ILO and GIZ to provide financial benefits to workers in the ready-made garment sector in EPZs in case of accidental death and permanent physical disability at work, which is a milestone in the protection of workers,” he pointed out.  BEPZA attracts $480 million investments so far in FY2024-25 Senior officials of BEPZA and ILO were present in the deal signing ceremony.

Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman took over as the Chairman of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) on Sunday. He replaced Major General Md Nazrul Islam. Before joining BEPZA, Ziaur Rahman was General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 7 Infantry Division. Prior to that, he served as the Defence Adviser to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, India. His military career spanned over command, staff and instructional appointments. He served as Logistics Staff Officer and also as Operations, Planning & Intelligence Staff Officer at Brigade, Army Training & Doctrine Command and Army Headquarters. READ: Agreement signed to speed up development of BEPZA EZ Ziaur Rahman also served in the prestigious appointment of ‘Directing Staff’ at the Defence Services Command and Staff College of Bangladesh and Instructor at Bangladesh Military Academy. In his decorated service life, Major General Ziaur Rahman also served at various capacities at Battalion level. READ: BEPZA gives highest priority to workers’ safety, welfare: Law Minister Besides, he has served at the UN mission in Haiti and Sudan.

Geographical location, inexpensive and easily trainable workforce and moderate production cost have helped Bangladesh become an attractive investment destination, Law Minister Anisul Huq said Sunday. “The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) always attaches the highest priority to the safety and security of the workers. It’s reflected through workers-owners-management synergy prevailing in the EPZs,” the minister said. He was speaking as the chief guest at the launch of BEPZA Helpline for EPZ workers at BEPZA Complex in the capital.  Huq said the government has taken different initiatives to ensure rights and privileges of the workers, adding that the country has achieved tremendous economic growth during the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) on Saturday extended the holidays for all factories at the eight Export Processing Zones (EPZs) until April 25 in a bid to limit the transmission of coronavirus.