Tejgaon: Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser for International Affairs, Lutfey Siddiqi, convened a high-level meeting with leading western diplomats to assess the progress on labour reforms over the past eight months and to present the government’s future roadmap. Ambassadors and high commissioners from the USA, UK, Canada, European Union, and representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO) attended the meeting at the Chief Adviser’s Office.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the meeting, Lutfey Siddiqi, accompanied by technical experts and labour rights specialists, delivered a comprehensive summary of the government’s reform efforts since July 2024. He emphasized the government’s commitment to the ILO roadmap, highlighting the significant investments in time, energy, and goodwill to ensure both effective processes and outcomes.
Lutfey praised the dedication of Labour Adviser Dr. Sakhawat Hossain, who has actively engaged with stakeholders to foster cooperation. Labour Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman stated that the government aims to conclude the Labour law amendments and achieve other major milestones by July 2025, noting that the process is progressing swiftly.
European Union Ambassador Michael Miller described the reform process as ‘unprecedented’ and acknowledged the substantial social dialogue that has taken place. He expressed the EU’s anticipation for draft legislation and tangible improvements, noting the implications for continued access to EU markets.
US Charg© d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson welcomed the current momentum and emphasized the importance of accountability for past violations. Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh expressed support for the ILO roadmap, particularly in the context of Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status. British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke stressed the need for strong labour standards to accompany Bangladesh’s LDC graduation and commended the interim government’s serious approach to the issue.
ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen remarked on the significant progress towards updating the Bangladesh Labour Act and emphasized the importance of ensuring long-term worker protection. Legislative Secretary Dr. Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury highlighted the substantial progress made, with a team working closely with stakeholders.
Lutfey Siddiqi also briefed the diplomats on prior inter-ministerial meetings addressing politically motivated cases, dispute resolution mechanisms, and capacity building for labour inspectors. He underscored the global implications of labour rights, linking them to market access and international trade decisions.
Diplomats concurred on the necessity of prioritizing labour reform and accountability across political contexts, reaffirming their countries’ support for Bangladesh’s transition. Lutfey concluded by acknowledging the unique opportunity presented by the July uprising for the Bangladesh government to make significant strides in labour reform, expressing gratitude for the continued international support as they approach the final phase of resolving the case at the ILO governing board.