Bangladesh has pledged to amend its labor law by March 2024 to meet international standards, addressing the demands raised by workers during the recent unrest.

This commitment was made during the 352nd session of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Governing Body, held from October 28 to November 7 in Geneva, where Labour and Employment Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman represented Bangladesh.

“We have already begun working on fulfilling the 18-point demand we committed to the workers in September during the labour unrest in the industrial sector,” Shafiquzzaman told The Daily Star by phone from Geneva.

While most of the demands have been met, two key points remain: amending the labor law and reviewing annual increments, as workers requested an increase above the current 5%.

The government has established a tripartite committee to oversee possible amendments to the law, focusing on easing trade union rules and documentation requirements.

Additional measures include reviewing the blacklisting of workers due to biometric attendance issues and addressing workplace harassment. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul assured the ILO Governing Body that the government is also working to resolve police cases against workers involved in wage hike protests last year.

The Minimum Wage Board, tasked with recommending wage adjustments, has also submitted a proposal to the Labour Ministry to update the labor law and enforce wage structures more strictly. A board official stated that wage-related unrest often arises from delays in payments by factory owners, highlighting the need for stronger regulations.

Amending the labor law has been a long-standing issue. Last December, President Abdul Hamid returned the “Bangladesh Labor (Amendment) Bill-2023” unsigned, citing the need for further revisions to critical clauses. With Bangladesh’s renewed commitment to the ILO and the March deadline, the country is taking steps toward improved labor practices and compliance with international standards.