The Ministry of Labour and Employment has announced a comprehensive 22-point action plan to be implemented within 180 days under the BNP government’s Election Manifesto 2026.
Finalised during a workshop at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, the roadmap encompasses labour law modernisation, the expansion of minimum wages, digital trade union registration, mass recruitment, and the establishment of new employment institutions.
Legislative reforms and institutional growth
A primary focus of the roadmap is the transformation of the Bangladesh Labour Ordinance 2025 into law by 31 March 2026.
This reform agenda includes the formulation of labour rules under the Bangladesh Labour Act and the enactment of legislation to eliminate child and forced labour by 30 June 2026.
To strengthen industrial relations, the National Social Dialogue Forum will be operationalised by the same date to activate a tripartite consultative mechanism between workers, employers, and the government.
A new Department of Employment is scheduled for establishment by 30 August 2026 to manage government employment exchanges at the district and upazila levels.
To improve the efficiency of labour administration, trade union registration will be simplified through a digital system by 15 July 2026.
Additionally, an Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism will be introduced by 30 June 2026 to expedite the disposal of pending cases in Labour Courts.
The ministry also plans to complete a National Employment Strategy aligned with the National Employment Policy 2022 by 30 June 2026, followed by an updated employment survey supported by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics by 30 July 2026.
Employment targets, recruitment drives
The 180-day plan outlines a rigorous recruitment schedule to fill vacancies across various departments. The ministry aims to recruit 27 employees for Grade 13 to Grade 20 posts by 28 February 2026.
By 31 March 2026, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) will complete the recruitment of 122 personnel recommended by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission.
This will be followed by filling other vacant posts in DIFE by 15 April 2026. Additionally, the Department of Labour will recruit 69 personnel, while the Minimum Wages Board will fill two vacant posts by 15 May 2026.
Worker welfare, wage implementation
The roadmap identifies 30 May 2026 as the deadline for selecting suitable sectors from 65 proposed informal categories for minimum wage determination.
Specifically, minimum wages for the tannery, hotel, restaurant, and iron foundry sectors are to be announced and implemented by 30 June 2026.
Social protection measures are also a priority, with working women hostels to be established in Kalurghat and Narayanganj by 30 June 2026.
By the same date, anti-harassment committees must be formed in all ready-made garment factories, and at least 300 companies will be brought under the Workers Participation and Welfare Fund.
Regarding financial assistance, schemes including the Employment Injury Scheme and the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation will be implemented by 31 August 2026.
On the matter of maternity benefits, the ministry plans to arrange a two-month allowance following four months of paid leave by 30 June 2026, citing practical realities.
The workshop was chaired by Labour and Employment Secretary Md Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan, with Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury attending as chief guest.
Chowdhury directed that weekly progress reports be presented to ensure regular follow-up, while State Minister Nurul Haque Nur also addressed the session.
