BGMEA urges govt to review labour ordinance

 
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan on Tuesday urged the government to review the recently approved Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 as several of its provisions could destabilise the industrial sector and undermine Bangladesh’s export competitiveness ahead of its LDC graduation.

Country’s manufacturing industries are already under ‘unprecedented pressure’ due to global economic challenges, rising domestic costs, and policy uncertainties, he said at an emergency press conference held at BGMEA’s Nurul Qader Auditorium in Dhaka.

Hasan Khan expressed deep concern over several provisions in the new labour amendment, particularly the decision to allow trade unions in factories with as few as 20 workers. “This is an unrealistic and destabilising decision,” he said. “Such a low threshold will allow individuals unrelated to the industry to form unions, causing internal conflict and disruption in production.”

Country’s manufacturing industries are already under ‘unprecedented pressure’ due to global economic challenges, rising domestic costs, and policy uncertainties, he said at an emergency press conference held at BGMEA’s Nurul Qader Auditorium in Dhaka.

Hasan Khan expressed deep concern over several provisions in the new labour amendment, particularly the decision to allow trade unions in factories with as few as 20 workers.

“This is an unrealistic and destabilising decision,” he said. “Such a low threshold will allow individuals unrelated to the industry to form unions, causing internal conflict and disruption in production.”

He noted that in India, at least 10% of workers or a minimum of 100 workers are required to form a union while in Pakistan, the threshold is 20%.

“Compared to these standards, Bangladesh’s provision is the weakest in South Asia. It will send a negative signal to foreign investors,” he added.

The BGMEA president also objected to the approval of both the ‘Bhobisshot Tohobi’l and ‘Progoti’ schemes simultaneously, allowing workers to participate in both.