Dhaka: On the eve of May Day, labour leaders have called for urgent reform in the pay structure, fixing the working hour and some other areas of the labour sector. They proposed the creation of a comprehensive worker database, particularly for the informal sector, and a balanced approach to technological transition to protect employment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the leaders welcomed the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Act 2026 as a significant step in the country’s labour reform process, while underscoring the importance of its effective implementation and further improvement. President of Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati and former member of the Labour Reform Commission, Taslima Akhter, noted that this year’s May Day carries special significance as it marks 140 years of the global labour movement. ‘Eight-hour work is recognised in our law, but it is not fully realized in practice,’ she said, pointing out that low wages continue to push workers to depend on overtime to survive.
Akhter emphasized the necessity of a national minimum wage that ensures a dignified standard of living. She mentioned that the ease of forming trade unions could foster a more democratic industrial environment, allowing workers to organize freely, negotiate, and present their demands through dialogue, which in turn reduces conflict and strengthens accountability. She welcomed the amended labour law, passed on April 09 in the parliament, describing it as ‘an important progress in the history of labour reforms in Bangladesh’.
President of Bangladesh Tannery Workers Union, Abul Kalam Azad, stressed that establishing a national minimum wage remains the most urgent priority. He called for the formation of a wage commission to declare a wage structure that includes all workers. Azad also highlighted the importance of reducing the wage review cycle from five years to three, reflecting the realities of rising living costs. On technological advancements, he called for a balanced approach, ensuring that modernization does not come at the expense of jobs.
Executive Director of Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF), AKM Ashraf Uddin, highlighted emerging global challenges and structural gaps within the labour market. He pointed out the heavy dependence on export sectors like garments, textiles, and leather, with large parts of the supply chain remaining unrecognised and often non-compliant. Ashraf stressed the need for Bangladesh to align with global standards, particularly in the context of human rights, and incorporate a decent work diligence mechanism into national policies.
Ashraf identified the absence of a comprehensive labour database as a major barrier to reform, especially for the informal sector, which constitutes a large portion of the workforce. He also highlighted future risks such as climate change, energy transition, and automation, which could significantly affect workers if adequate safeguards are not put in place. Ashraf expressed that the new labour law is a positive development with room for further refinement.
Workers at the grassroots level echoed these concerns while expressing cautious optimism. A garment worker in Gazipur, Kohinur Akhter, stated that increased wages and proper overtime would bring real change in their lives, while Nazma Akhter, a domestic help in Dhaka, welcomed the recognition of domestic work in the amended law but pointed to gaps in implementation.
Finally, labour leaders emphasized the importance of building trust among workers, employers, and the government to improve industrial relations and boost productivity.