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The experts and labour leaders said that democratic reconstruction in the country would remain incomplete without recognition of all workers.

They also said that ensuring institutional platforms for informer workers is a must, as over 80 per cent of them are yet to be legally recognised as workers under existing labour laws.

They were speaking at a dialogue titled ‘Democratic Reconstruction of Labour Rights’, organised by the Centre for Governance Studies at the CIRDAP Auditorium of the capital on Thursday.

At the dialogue, Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, executive director of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, said that the majority of the country’s workers have no right to form trade unions or raise their voices collectively, despite contributing significantly to the national economy, as they are unrecognised.

‘Even the remaining 20 per cent of the workers, who are covered under the law, often face numerous obstacles while trying to form a trade union,’ he added.

Sultan Uddin, also the chairman of the Labour Reform Commission, said that while workers lack institutional platforms to express their concerns, there is also no institutional system of accountability for employers.

‘To ensure democratic reconstruction, all workers must first be recognized. Without bringing the 80 per cent unrecognised workers under legal protection, reforms would not be possible,’ he added.

He also said that although the country has around 8,000 trade unions and 100 collective bargaining agents, most of them are unable to function effectively due to structural and institutional limitations.

He stressed the need to guarantee fair wages, social protection, and job security for all workers.

He called for nationwide skill development training and the introduction of a national minimum wage.

‘LDC graduation would not be meaningful without recognising the country’s workers,’ he added, urging the formation of a national labour database and a dedicated social safety net for workers.

In his speech as the chief guest, M Sakhawat Hussain, adviser of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said that the ministry has come a long way from where it once stood. 

‘Labour leaders often don’t work for the interests of workers, but rather pursue their own agendas,’ he added.

Regarding the upcoming amendment of the Bangladesh Labour Act, he said that there have been many changes between the existing one and the upcoming ones.

‘We’ve taken several strict measures, including approving three major demands: workers’ health, protection from harassment, and safety,’ he added, saying that they have met the EU and ILO on various issues.

Democratic practices must be exercised within unions, and employers cannot blacklist any worker. 

‘If someone needs to be blacklisted, the employer must report to the ministry, and then the ministry would take further measures,’ he added.

Regarding the maternity leave, he said that they have extended it.

‘We are trying to do our best based on Bangladesh’s socio-economic structure,’ he added.

He also said that within this month, the ordinance on the BLA amendment would be issued.

‘Our biggest challenge is how to bring informal sector workers under our policy framework and legal protection, we are working on it,’ he added.

He also said that they have taken strict action against many unscrupulous employers, confiscated their passports, and seized their properties.

‘I can tell; no other government could have done this. Because in the past, ministers themselves were factory owners. There were 48,000 cases against workers; now we have withdrawn them,’ he added.

In the panel discussion, Nazma Akter, executive director of the Awaj Foundation, said that, like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh also witnessed a mass uprising that toppled the existing regime in 2024.

‘Sri Lanka managed to recover, why can›t Bangladesh?’ she questioned.

She also mentioned that turning 40 doesn›t hinder employment opportunities for workers abroad, but in Bangladesh, once a worker reaches 40, they’re pushed out of their jobs. 

‘Our workers have no dignity, providing rice and lentils to workers does not equate to ensuring their social security,’ she added.

Joly Talukder, vice-president at Bangladesh Garment Workers Trade Union Centre (GWTUC) said, that whenever there is a movement, workers are shot and killed.

‘In July, workers also joined the protests. It took us eight years of struggle to finally register a trade union,’ she added.

She also said that garment factories frequently catch fire, wages are not paid, and when workers take to the streets, they are shot – these practices must stop.

She said that maternity leave for the working class is only four months, while civil servants get 6 months.

Razekuzzaman Ratan, general secretary of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Shramik Front, said that the wealthy keep their assets abroad, and the middle class sends their children overseas for education, where they often settle permanently.

‘The workers remain in the country,’ he added, urging for more budget allocation for the labour ministry.

From the employer’s side, Syed Nasim Manzur, managing director of Apex Footwear Limited, said that there has been more talk than action, which is unfortunate.

He stressed the government›s focus on the small and medium enterprise sector, as about 99 per cent of the country’s industries fall under this category.

He also said that sometimes reform couldn’t be done due to a lack of mindset or capacity.

Syed Nasim Manzur, also president of the Leathergoods Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh, noted that there was no need to create new laws; it simply needs to enforce the ones the country already has.

‘Employment will arise where there is demand. Currently, Bangladesh has 2.6 million unemployed people, many of whom are graduates. A solution must be found for this,’ he added.

Factories are struggling to find educated workers because many are working elsewhere for even lower wages. Meanwhile, most young people in Bangladesh are aiming for BCS, banking jobs, or opportunities abroad.

‘Alternatives to this trend must be considered,’ he added.

In her speech, Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, stated that very little has been done to improve the living standards and quality of life for workers, despite the formation of commissions.

‘The progress we make is quickly outpaced by other countries. In terms of global competition, there are challenges such as rising US tariffs and domestic limitations in raw materials and services,’ she added.

She also said that Bangladesh must offer competitive wages, enhance its capabilities, and make efforts to diversify and expand exports. 

‘In our country, 85% of the labor force works in the informal sector, which results in low income and no job security,’ she added, saying that the government has a responsibility toward workers, and empowering them can lead to economic development.

Human resource development is also a form of investment, and the country needs to strengthen the social safety net and ensure equal opportunities in health and education for all.

Zillur Rahman, president of Centre for Governance Studies, moderated the event, saying reform is extremely necessary and will continue over time.

Labour leaders from various sectors, political leaders, experts, and lawyers also spoke at the event.