Published: 12:27 AM, 21 July 2026
Protecting workers' rights top govt priority: PM to ILO chief
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday said that his government is attaching the highest importance in protecting workers' rights, ensuring a safe working environment, and implementing international labour standards.
The Prime Minister said this when International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo paid a courtesy call on him at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, according to PM’s Assistant Press Secretary Gazi Shahriar Pamir.
At the outset of the meeting, he said, the ILO director general congratulated Tarique Rahman on assuming office as the head of the government. Houngbo said that international confidence in Bangladesh had been further strengthened following the assumption of office by a government elected through the direct votes of the people.
In this context, the ILO director general said the ILO is interested in further strengthening its long-standing partnership with Bangladesh and will continue to work closely with the government for the development of the labour sector. In response, the Prime Minister thanked the ILO for its continued cooperation and said that his government is attaching the highest importance to protecting workers' rights, ensuring a safe working environment, and implementing international labour standards. The ILO director general also congratulated the Prime Minister on the election of Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
He described the achievement as an important recognition of Bangladesh's diplomatic capability and credibility in the international arena. Houngbo also highly praised the present government for achieving other diplomatic successes at the international level within a short period. During the meeting, the ILO director general said that Bangladesh government's ongoing labour sector reforms and commitment to implementing international labour standards are being positively recognised globally.
The other areas which came up in discussion during the meeting includes workers' protection, skills development, expanding employment opportunities, and developing a skilled workforce to meet the demands of the changing global labour market.
They also discussed the progress of Bangladesh's ready-made garment sector, workplace safety, the development of the informal labour market, and Bangladesh's achievements in implementing international labour standards.
Both the sides stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the government and the ILO to further advance the ongoing labour sector reform initiatives.
They also exchanged views on ensuring the rights and welfare of migrant workers, establishing a safe and orderly migration system, and further strengthening cooperation in enhancing the skills of overseas-bound workers.
During the meeting, Tarique Rahman reiterated his government's commitment to ensuring a worker-friendly and sustainable working environment.
Besides, the ILO director-general expressed his commitment to further expanding the organisation's existing cooperation with Bangladesh and working jointly for the development of the country's labour sector.
The two sides discussed a wide range of issues, including strengthening social protection for workers, enhancing skills development, creating more employment opportunities and building a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of the evolving global labour market.
They also exchanged views on the progress of Bangladesh's readymade garment sector, workplace safety, development of the informal labour market and the country's achievements in implementing international labour standards.
Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, Secretary to the Labour and Employment Ministry Md. Abdur Rahman Tarafder, Director General (UN Wing) at the Foreign Affairs Ministry Md. Kamruzzaman, ILO Country Director in Bangladesh Max Tuñón and Senior Adviser to the ILO Director-General at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Hitomi Nakagome were present at the meeting.
