The Government of Bangladesh has received commendation from the International Labour Organization (ILO) for undertaking wide-ranging labour reforms.
In a letter dated 17 December, 2025, ILO Director-General Gilbert F Houngbo expressed appreciation for the “clear outline of these developments” earlier communicated by Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi.
In the letter, Houngbo said he would like to commend the efforts of the Government of Bangladesh in undertaking a wide range of labour reforms, particularly recognising the significant measures introduced through the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.
The commendation followed an update sent on 21 November, 2025, by Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, which detailed actions taken to advance workers’ rights, including freedom of association, collective bargaining, social dialogue and working conditions.
In that update, Siddiqi said that, following clear instructions from Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, the pace, process and progress of the reforms had to make a clear break from what he described as the foot-dragging of the past.
The ILO Director-General also referred to Bangladesh’s recent ratification of additional conventions on occupational safety and health, as well as violence and harassment, describing the step as another historical milestone.
The instruments of ratification were deposited in Geneva on 20 November, by Labour Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain.
At the conclusion of his letter, Siddiqi said that taken together, the measures should irreversibly take the country’s labour standards to a much higher plane, underscoring not only the outcomes but also the processes established along the journey.
Houngbo concluded by expressing gratitude for the trust placed in the ILO to support the Government, workers’ organisations and employers’ organisations through the provision of technical assistance throughout the reform process.
