Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said that the government is fully prepared and that any attempt to disrupt peace ahead of the elections will be dealt with firmly.
He made the remarks on Monday during a farewell meeting with the United States Chargé d’Affaires to Bangladesh, Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, at the state guest house Jamuna.
During the meeting, they discussed the upcoming parliamentary elections and referendum scheduled for February, as well as issues related to trade, civil aviation, labour reforms undertaken by the interim government, and the overall bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Ambassador Jacobson is returning home after a year marked by significant developments. During the farewell meeting, she praised the chief adviser’s leadership over the past 17 months and reaffirmed the United States’ support for the February elections.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to holding free, fair and peaceful elections, the chief adviser said that full preparations are under way to ensure the success of both the parliamentary elections and the referendum.
Jacobson praised the reforms undertaken by the interim government, particularly highlighting the truly significant and exceptional labour law, stating that it would help attract greater foreign direct investment to Bangladesh.
She also commended the interim government for withdrawing 45 out of 46 cases filed against labour leaders under the previous government.
In response, the chief adviser described the new labour ordinance as an “excellent law”, adding that leading labour activists in Bangladesh have publicly welcomed the interim government’s reforms and the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.
They also discussed funding for humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya. The chief adviser thanked the United States for its continued support for the Rohingya people.
Professor Yunus said that the United States remains the single largest country providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to more than one million Rohingya living in camps in Bangladesh’s south-eastern region.
The chief adviser thanked the US Chargé d’Affaires for her “important work” during her tenure and for being a “friend of Bangladesh” and invited her to visit the country again in the future.
National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamia Morshed were also present at the meeting.
