United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has recorded a substantial inflow of remittances, totaling US $2.34 billion in the first 24 days of November, according to an updated report released by the Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Tuesday. Blessing on inward remittance, Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange reserves crossed $ 31.1 billion on Tuesday (November 25). The forex reserves stood at $26.39 billion as IMF standard BPM6, according to Bangladesh Bank released. The strong performance brings the cumulative remittance sent by overseas Bangladeshi workers for the current fiscal year FY 2025-26 to $12.49 billion (July to November 24, 2025). The daily average remittance inflow for the first 24 days of November stands at approximately $97 million. Fiscal Year Growth and Monthly Performance: The $12.28 billion cumulative figures for FY 2025-26 represents a notable 14.7 percent growth compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year (FY 2024-25), during which $10.17 billion was received. Bangladesh Bank's data highlights a consistent and strong flow of remittances in recent months. In July expatriates sent $2.48 billion remittance, August $2.42 billion, September $2.68 billion, October $2.56 billion, The sustained high remittance flow is a crucial factor supporting the country's foreign exchange reserves and providing stability to the economy.

The probe body formed to investigate the massive fire at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) Cargo Village has submitted its report to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, concluding that the blaze was caused by an electrical short circuit. “It was not an act of sabotage. The fire originated from an electrical short circuit,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters on Tuesday, citing the findings of the probe report. Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul was also present at the media briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy. Home Secretary Nasimul Gani handed over the probe report to the Chief Adviser and the matter was discussed at the Council of Advisers’ meeting. The fire broke out at the HSIA Cargo Village on October 18. 7-member committee formed to probe Shahjalal Airport fire The inquiry committee found that 48 small iron-cage offices had been set up inside the courier shed for various agencies, but the facility lacked basic fire safety measures such as fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers and hydrants. The report also noted that highly flammable materials, including cloth rolls wrapped in polythene, chemicals, compressed perfume bottles, body sprays, electronics, batteries and pharmaceutical raw materials, were stored haphazardly in violation of safety regulations. The committee recorded oral and written testimonies from 97 witnesses and concluded that the fire started in the northwest corner of the extended courier shed due to an electrical arc that led to a short circuit. Experts from Turkey, BUET, fire safety professionals, and CID forensic units contributed to determining the cause of the fire.

Unregulated and unplanned fishing practices are rapidly depleting Bangladesh’s marine fish stocks, posing a serious threat to both coastal and deep-sea fisheries, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said on Tuesday. “Bangladesh has enormous potential in marine fisheries, and we must utilise it wisely,” she said at the closing ceremony of the Department of Fisheries’ ‘Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries’ project held at a city hotel. The adviser stressed the need for an integrated plan linking coastal and deep-sea fishing, saying that only four percent of women fishers have received fisher cards so far. She described the small number as a positive step, while noting that women’s contributions in fisheries remain largely unrecognised and efforts are underway to ensure broader recognition and engagement across sectors. Farida also pointed to the untapped potential of marine resources, saying many fish species remain unidentified and deep-sea fishing has yet to reach full scale. “Recent surveys have provided important insights into existing stocks.” Sharing her experience from COP30 discussions, the adviser emphasised that climate change is becoming a major factor affecting marine fisheries worldwide. Its impact is particularly evident in Bangladesh’s coastal areas, she said, urging policymakers to integrate climate considerations into future planning.

The Election Commission is going to conduct a mock voting exercise on Saturday next for both the upcoming national election and referendum, which are likely to be held simultaneously on a single day in early February 2026. “The mock voting will be held from 8:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Government Girls High School in the capital,” said EC Director (PR) Ruhul Amin Mollik on Tuesday. All the officers and employees of the EC Secretariat, the EC’s National Identity Registration Wing, the Electoral Training Institute (ETI) and its all projects have been asked to be present in the mock voting centre and participate in the mock voting activities as voters. The Election Commission has planned to announce the schedule in early December to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter simultaneously in a single day in February 2026. According to the EC officials, the Commission will assess how many votes can be cast in an hour using two types of ballots – one for national election and another for referendum—in order to determine the number of voters against each polling booth in the February 2026 election. Besides, the EC will try to identify the possible challenges that may emerge during the vote-casting in the upcoming election. Allow expats to register with only passports: BNP to EC The current Election Commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, was constituted just one year ago and had no experience of holding a single local body or parliamentary election. Besides, this commission will have to hold a referendum simultaneously with the national election, which came as an additional responsibility to the current commission amid the changed situation after the 2024 student-led mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s regime.    

Despite an estimated 1.2 crore people involved in Bangladesh’s fisheries sector, with 14 lakh directly dependent on it for their livelihood, these workers are yet to receive legal recognition as laborers. This situation has led to calls for immediate action to confirm their identity as workers and secure their fundamental right to form trade unions. The demands were raised by speakers at a national dialogue on the legal rights and social security of fisheries workers, organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) with support from the German think tank Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, held on Tuesday at The Daily Star Centre. Speakers at the dialogue highlighted that legal protection and life-saving measures for fish workers are critically weak, with inadequate social security programs available. They said a major legal loophole exists: the current Labor Law only covers workers in fishing trawlers and the fish processing industry, leaving all other fish workers outside the scope of legal safeguards. Furthermore, outside the shrimp and trawler industries, there is no established wage structure for these workers. Exclusion from Law: The majority of fish workers are excluded from labor law and inspection mechanisms. Unregulated Environment: Labor law provisions regarding employment, health, safety, medical treatment, and compensation are routinely ignored. Fishermen, coastal communities must be at the heart of climate negotiations: Speakers at COAST event Health and Safety Risks: Workers face severe health risks with negligible provision for medical treatment or compensation. Wages and personal protective equipment (PPE) are not standardized for all. Debt Trap: Workers are commonly trapped in a network of informal loans and advances (dadan). Vulnerability at Sea: Life-saving measures against natural disasters like storms and tidal surges, or human threats like pirate attacks, are deficient. The absence of a modern signal system at sea further increases the risk of death. Inadequate Assistance: Government assistance provided during fishing ban periods is insufficient for survival. The dialogue emphasized the urgency of legal reforms to establish the rights of fish workers. Specific recommendations, considering national commitments, the Constitution, labor policies, and the guidelines of relevant conventions like ILO Convention No. 188, include: Confirmation of Worker Identity: Officially recognizing and ensuring the identity of fish workers as laborers. Legal Inclusion: Including all fish workers under the purview of the national Labor Law. Social Security: Launching appropriate social security schemes for workers and their families. Minimum Wage & Compensation: Establishing a minimum wage and instituting a comprehensive compensation system for all workers. Trade Union Rights: Guaranteeing the opportunity for workers to form and be represented by trade unions. The dialogue's goal was to formally inform key national stakeholders about the findings and recommendations, build consensus, and mobilize support for necessary policy reforms to improve the legal rights, social security, life, and livelihood of fish workers in Bangladesh. The session was chaired by Naimul Ahsan Jewel, BILS Advisory Council Member and Convener of the National Fish Workers' Rights Forum, and the research findings were presented by BILS Deputy Director Advocate Nazrul Islam.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen on Tuesday said that if anyone attempts to exert undue pressure on the commission to obstruct corruption investigations their name will be made public. He made the remarks at a views-exchange meeting held at the ACC conference room in Segunbagicha as part of the commission’s founding anniversary programme. Responding to a question on whether the ACC faces external pressure, Momen said, “If you are not corrupt and you stand firm, you will face less pressure. Those who try to influence you will also think twice before doing so.” “I believe the ACC alone cannot curb corruption across Bangladesh,” he said responding to another question. Expressing hope for a timely and fair election, he said people have previously seen the dominance of black money in elections and it may happen again. He called for tougher punishment for corrupt people daying, “If someone embezzles Tk 10 crore and expend Tk 1 crore here or there they still profit Tk 9 crore. But if the penalty for embezzling Tk 10 crore is a fine of Tk 100 crore, they won’t dare do it.” The ACC Chairman said the Commission wants candidates’ affidavits  (asset declarations) before the Election Commission receives them. “There is very little time between the submission and finalisation of affidavits. If the government mandated that affidavits be submitted to the ACC first, we could form a task force. We may not be able to review all, but we could at least check the major suspects before sending our findings to the EC.” Addressing journalists, he said, “We have very limited time. You blow the whistle, we will try our best to investigate with our available resources.” Regarding steps to curb the use of black money, he said, “Our resources and manpower are limited. We will see whether we can form a 5–7 member team for the task.” Responding to a query on the progress of investigation into corruption allegations involving personal staff of advisers, he said, “We had four files. The inquiries are nearing completion. The work is not fully done yet. Once completed, everyone will know.” ACC Commissioners Miah Muhammad Ali Akbar Azizi and Brigadier General (Retd.) Hafiz Ahsan Farid and Secretary Mohammad Khaled Rahim also attended the meeting.

Bangladesh’s tannery sector is struggling with a severe crisis, with workers expressing mounting frustration over the failure of owners to implement the government-declared revised minimum wage even a year after its announcement. In response, the Tannery Workers Union (TWU) has warned of potential strict agitation. The union also alleged that widespread layoffs, the expansion of an illegal contractor system and a government initiative to bring the leather industry under the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) have created extreme uncertainty in the sector. The TWU highlighted these concerns at a press conference on Tuesday at The Daily Star Centre in Dhaka. TWU President Abul Kalam Azad and General Secretary Abdul Malek stated that the revised minimum wage, gazetted on November 21 last year and subsequently declared by the ministry, has yet to be implemented in the tannery industry. Despite nearly two years of discussions, tripartite meetings and a final decision from the ministry, the owners have taken no effective steps toward its implementation. The leaders alleged that owners are attempting to deny the announced wage to long-term employees by labelling them as ‘temporary’, a clear violation of labor law. Besides, discussions for the renewal of bilateral agreements—which were supposed to follow the wage board's final decision—have been delayed by the owners, putting other worker benefits at risk. The union also expressed deep concern over not being consulted about the interim government's initiative to bring the tannery industry under BEPZA’s jurisdiction. Union leaders reported that skilled and experienced workers and machine operators are being deliberately laid off and replaced by contract workers. The laid-off employees are reportedly not receiving their legal dues. The union noted that this process is pushing a formal sector toward an informal labor system. Advocate AK M Nasim, a member of the Labour Reform Commission, said, “The owners' procrastination in implementing the minimum wage despite the gazette publication and the inaction of government agencies are alarming. According to the law, all workers—permanent, temporary, or contract-based—are entitled to equal wages, but reluctance to implement this is visible everywhere.” Govt okays proposal not to implement CETP project at Tannery Estate Criticising the plan to shift the sector to an EPZ, he warned, “If the tannery sector is transferred under the EPZ, the freedom of association for workers could be severely harmed.” He also noted that under the recently amended labor law’s enterprise cluster framework, while 20 workers can form a union, the maximum is limited to five, which will weaken workers’ organizational power. Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Labour Reform Commission, said, “Despite the tannery industry being important for Bangladesh, hazardous conditions still persist. Keeping workers temporary for extended periods, delaying the announced minimum wage implementation, and creating uncertainty under the guise of review weakens the foundation of trust, the impact of which will eventually fall on the entire industry and the national economy.” He emphasised that ensuring a dignified work environment for laborers is the joint responsibility of the state and owners to restore stability in the industry.

The Council of Advisers on Tuesday in principle approved the draft of the ‘Referendum Ordinance, 2025’ outlining how the referendum will be conducted. “We hope the relevant gazette will be issued by today or tomorrow,” Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Election Commission Secretary Akhter Hossain were also present at the media briefing. The interim government, earlier, announced that a referendum will take place on the same day as the national election scheduled for February next year. The specific date of the next national election is yet to be announced. Voters will be asked to either approve or reject (yes or no) the constitutional amendment proposals outlined in the July National Charter. The referendum will be held on four issues with one question and the ballot paper for the referendum will be colored. The referendum also provides an opportunity for four categories of citizens including expatriates to vote by postal ballot like the national election.

A fire broke out at Korail Basti, a slum in Tejgaon area of the capital on Tuesday evening. Fire Service and Civil Defence Director (Operations & Maintenance) Lt. Col. Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said the flames are gradually decreasing. “We have strengthened our operations here, and nearly 20 units are now working at the scene,” he said. “We have managed to confine the fire. The next step is to identify the source of the blaze. We hope to share some good news within the next couple of hours. However, nothing can be said with certainty at this moment,” he added. Earlier, Talha Bin Jashim, duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters media cell, said the fire originated from one of the shanties of the slum around 5:22pm. Fire ravages Korail slum, leaving dwellers devastated amid water crisis Responding to an emergency call, 20 firefighting units from multiple stations were dispatched to the scene in stages, Talha said, adding that currently all units are working to bringh the flame under control.  The cause of the fire could not be determined yet.

Public health and environmental experts on Tuesday called on the government to fully enforce the updated Bangladesh Standards (BDS) and introduce stronger regulatory measures to eliminate lead from industrial paints, aluminium cookware and children’s toys. They made the call at a high-level policy dialogue titled “Preventing Lead Poisoning and Updating Standards for Industrial Paints, Cookware and Toys” held in Dhaka. Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), UNICEF and the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) organised the programme. Experts said preventing lead poisoning must be treated as a national priority because of its irreversible impact on children’s health, cognitive development and long-term socio-economic outcomes. They called for coordinated action in agencies covering regulatory enforcement, industry accountability, public awareness and strict market monitoring to eliminate lead from consumer products and protect public health. Former secretary and ESDO Chairperson Syed Margub Murshed attended the dialogue as chief guest, while BSTI Director General SM Ferdous Alam was present as special guest. Mohammad Saidul Islam, Director of BSTI’s Standards Wing, delivered the welcome remarks. Calling lead a ‘silent killer,’ Margub Murshed warned that toxic metal poses a severe threat to public healthparticularly to children whose developing brains and nervous systems are highly susceptible. “This toxic heavy metal is destroying the future of our next generation. It must be controlled without delay,” he said. He said although Bangladesh has made significant progress in removing lead from decorative paints its continued use in industrial paints and everyday consumer goods including cookware and toys remains alarming. “Strong and immediate action is essential to stop the use of lead in these products. Today’s dialogue is vital for bringing all relevant agencies together to advance this urgent agenda,” he added. BSTI Director General SM Ferdous Alam highlighted the country’s achievement in setting a maximum limit of 90 parts per million (ppm) of lead in decorative paints, which has been recognised as a regional benchmark. He said BSTI is now finalising new BDS specifications for industrial, marine and automobile paints. “The recommendations from today’s meeting will help us update the existing standards and strengthen enforcement on the ground,” he added. The dialogue was chaired by Professor Dr Syed Md Samsuddin of Dhaka University’s Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department. Other speakers included Professor Dr Md Arju Mia of Jahangirnagar University, IEDCR Director Professor Dr Tahmina Shirin, ESDO Executive Director Siddika Sultana and UNICEF health specialist Dr Pricilla Wobi. Representatives from NIPSON, icddr,b, Asian Paints, Berger Paints and the Paints Association also participated, sharing perspectives on industry challenges and opportunities for compliance with updated standards.