The International Labour Organization (ILO) has praised workers’ welfare facilities and labour management practices at Dhaka Export Processing Zone (Dhaka EPZ), expressing optimism that its partnership with the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) will continue to strengthen.
ILO Country Director for Bangladesh Max Tunon made the remarks after visiting Dhaka EPZ on 15 July 2026, where he reviewed workers’ welfare programmes, compliance mechanisms and labour management practices implemented at the export processing zone, said in a press release.
During the visit, Tunon was accompanied by Saad Gilani, Programme Manager of the ILO Social Protection Project, and Tanjilut Tasnuba, Senior Programme Manager of the ILO Country Office for Bangladesh.
The delegation was welcomed at Dhaka EPZ by Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain, ndc, afwc, psc, G, MPhil, Executive Chairman of BEPZA.
Md Shariful Islam, Executive Director of Dhaka EPZ, gave a detailed presentation on the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Act, 2019, Bangladesh EPZ Labour Rules, 2022, occupational safety and health measures, compliance systems, workers’ rights, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and welfare programmes.
During an interactive discussion, Md Khorshid Alam, Executive Director (Enterprise Services) of BEPZA, highlighted the authority’s labour-friendly policies, regulatory framework and compliance practices.
The ILO delegation also held discussions with representatives of Workers’ Welfare Associations (WWAs), exchanging views on workplace conditions, workers’ rights, grievance handling, social dialogue and the role of WWAs in maintaining harmonious industrial relations.
Workers’ representatives shared their experiences regarding workplace welfare facilities, participatory industrial relations and existing grievance resolution mechanisms. They also discussed challenges and common workplace concerns.
To mark the visit, Max Tunon and representatives of WWAs planted an olive sapling at the Dhaka EPZ Zone Office premises.
The delegation later visited YKK Bangladesh PTE LTD and Shanta Industries Limited, where they toured production facilities, inspected daycare centres and interacted with management, workers and workers’ representatives.
The visits provided the delegation with an opportunity to observe workplace practices, workers’ welfare initiatives and compliance standards at the enterprises.
