The Ministry of Labour and Employment has put into place a comprehensive 22-point action plan that is slated to be executed within 180 days, aligning with the electoral promises of the BNP government. This strategic roadmap was officially endorsed yesterday during a workshop hosted at the Bangladesh Secretariat by the ministry.
During the workshop, Minister of Labour and Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, instructed officials to provide weekly progress updates on the manifesto’s implementation and ensure rigorous oversight. Among the key objectives outlined in the plan is the conversion of the Bangladesh Labour Ordinance, 2025, into law by March 31, 2026, and the recruitment of 122 recommended inspectors for the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE).
Furthermore, the ministry has set a target of June 30, 2026, to finalize labour regulations under the prevailing labour statutes, enact laws to combat child and forced labour, and establish a National Social Dialogue Forum. By July 15, 2026, the ministry aims to introduce digital trade union registration and establish employment exchanges at the district and upazila levels, with plans to update the national employment survey by July 30. The enforcement of minimum wages in the hospitality sector is also scheduled for completion by June 30.
Additional initiatives encompass the creation of anti-harassment committees in all RMG factories, the stipulation of minimum wages in the tannery and iron foundry industries, and the provision of financial aid to workers through welfare funds. State Minister Nurul Haque Nur shared insights during the workshop, which was attended by high-ranking officials from the ministry and its affiliated bodies. The workshop was presided over by the ministry’s Secretary, Md Sanowar Jahan Bhuiya.