Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Shipping, has announced that maternity leave for female workers will be extended to 120 days.
He made this statement during his speech as the chief guest at an official discussion and Iftar event with embassy officials from various countries on labour issues, held on Wednesday, at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in the capital.
The adviser said that the interim government is firmly committed to establishing a labour system that aligns with international labour standards while preserving the welfare and dignity of workers in Bangladesh.
He further mentioned that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is working to align labour laws with international standards in line with directives from the chief adviser to improve the living conditions of workers.
He also noted that the government has established a high-powered Labour Rights Reform Commission, led by a labour rights activist.
This commission is expected to submit recommendations by the end of March, ensuring the basic rights of both formal and informal workers while promoting social justice in the labour sector in alignment with international standards.
"The government has been working closely with trade unions, employers, and development partners, particularly ILO and all stakeholders, to amend labour laws in accordance with growing demands and international conventions," he added.
The adviser mentioned that one of the key aspects of the labour law reform is simplifying the registration and operation of trade unions, emphasizing the representation of workers and collective bargaining, and introducing measures to make the process of forming trade unions more transparent and accessible.
In response to questions from ambassadors regarding the ongoing amendment of the Bangladesh Labour Law, the adviser explained that provisions for maintaining the confidentiality of trade union members have been incorporated.
Additionally, steps are being taken to reduce the backlog of labour-related cases by implementing effective alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Ongoing reviews are being conducted to resolve other cases filed against workers and labour leaders.
The informal discussion on labour issues, which involved embassy officials from various countries, was attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment and other senior officials, ahead of the 353rd session of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from Monday to March 20.