Bangladesh has achieved a historic milestone in labour rights, becoming the first country in Asia to ratify all 10 fundamental instruments of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The country also became the first in South Asia to ratify the landmark ILO Convention No 190, which addresses violence and harassment in the world of work.
The milestone was formally recognized on Thursday at the ILO headquarters in Geneva, where the Adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) and the Ministry of Shipping, Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain, deposited the instruments of ratification with ILO Director-General Gilbert F Houngbo.
Bangladesh ratified three key conventions:
- Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No 155)
- Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No 187)
- Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No 19)
With these steps, Bangladesh became only the second country in the Asia-Pacific region to complete the full set of ILO fundamental conventions and the first in South Asia to adopt Convention No 190.
The ratifications follow the adoption of the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, promulgated on November17, 2025. The ordinance strengthens workers’ rights by:
- Prohibiting all forms of discrimination
- Addressing violence and harassment at work
- Ensuring workers can remove themselves from situations of imminent danger without retaliation
- Aligning national laws more closely with international labour standards
“The ILO commends the government of Bangladesh for advancing the decent work agenda with the ratification of these critical conventions,” said Max Tuñón, country director of the ILO Office in Bangladesh.
“The application of these ratifications will create safe and healthy workplaces for millions of workers. Tackling violence and harassment will also increase women’s participation in the labour force. These commitments will strengthen Bangladesh’s global competitiveness as a responsible trading partner and investment destination.”
The ratifications signal Bangladesh’s strong commitment to dignity, respect, and equality in the world of work. The move comes at a time when international labour standards (ILS) are increasingly integrated into trade agreements and human rights due diligence laws, making compliance critical for access to global markets.
ILO Conventions Nos 155 and 187 establish a framework for fostering a preventive occupational safety and health (OSH) culture, promoting a systems-based approach that engages governments, employers, and workers to reduce workplace hazards.
ILO Convention No 190 is the first international treaty recognizing the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence. The convention protects all workers, regardless of contractual status, in both formal and informal sectors.