Only around 20,000 workers in Bangladesh currently receive direct social safety net benefits — a figure that barely scratches the surface of the country’s 4 million-strong garment workforce, prompting renewed calls for urgent policy reform.

At yesterday’s discussion in Dhaka on the proposed FY26 budget, titled “National Budget for Social Protection,” experts stressed the need to expand coverage to both formal and informal workers amid the country’s ongoing economic transformation.

“Traditional safety nets have focused largely on rural, agriculture-based households,” said Abdullah Nadvi, research director at Unnayan Shamannay. “That approach must now evolve to reflect our shifting socioeconomic realities.”

Abdul Majid Pramanik of the Rural Development Academy, Bogura, highlighted climate change vulnerabilities, particularly for the nearly 10 million people living in char (riverine island) areas. He urged budget allocations to support climate-affected communities and scale up successful pilot programmes.

Farhana Zaman, a sociology professor at Jagannath University, voiced concern over persistent food insecurity in coastal regions. Mothers are eating less so their children can eat. Allocations are not meeting real needs,” she said, calling for an accurate database and better coordination among ministries.

Ishrat Sharmin of the Centre for Women and Children Studies urged targeted allocations for urban women and children, while Mahfuz Kabir of BIISS stressed fixing flaws in beneficiary selection and adopting long-term strategies.

Experts unanimously called for a shift from annual budget cycles to sustained policy frameworks that ensure social protection reaches all vulnerable citizens.