Geneva, June 12 (V7N) — Bangladesh has expressed its commitment to strengthening labor rights, ensuring workplace safety, and reforming labor laws in line with international standards, seeking enhanced technical assistance from the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Labor and Employment Advisor Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat made these remarks during the plenary session of the 113th International Labor Conference, held at the ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday (June 10).

In his speech, Dr. Sakhawat highlighted that Bangladesh is working to withdraw politically motivated cases against trade union leaders, restructure the Tripartite Advisory Council, and amend the Labor Act 2006 to align with international labor standards as recommended by the Labor Reform Commission. He also announced that the process of recruiting 122 new labor inspectors is underway to bolster labor inspections across the country.

Additionally, Bangladesh is progressing toward the ratification of three key ILO conventions—C-155 (Occupational Safety and Health), C-187 (Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health), and C-190 (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace)—to improve occupational health and safety.

Dr. Sakhawat further noted that the Bangladesh government is prioritizing fair trade, facilitating safe migration, and addressing technical discrimination to overcome global economic challenges. However, he voiced concern over the recent decline in development cooperation funds and urged the ILO for increased technical assistance in advancing Bangladesh’s labor sector.

The advisor also commended the ILO’s governing body for recognizing Palestine as an observer state at the conference and called on the international community to take concrete steps to protect Palestinian civilians.

Representatives from 187 countries, Labor Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman, members of the Bangladesh Employers Federation, representatives of the Tripartite Consultative Council (TCC), and senior officials from the Ministry of Labor and Employment were present at the event.

Source: BSS

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