Written by The Banking Post
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said Bangladesh must pursue labour reforms in line with international standards to attract large-scale foreign direct investment (FDI).
Speaking at a high-level discussion in New York on Thursday, he stressed that the interim government is committed to delivering key reforms aligned with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions before the national election in February. The event, hosted at the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN, gathered diplomats, UN officials and senior Bangladeshi political leaders for an open dialogue on labour rights and reform efforts.
Leaders from major political parties echoed support for strengthening labour laws, while underscoring the central role of the garment industry in the country’s economy. One speaker noted, “It should not be the buyer who always dictates the terms,” a sentiment that drew rare consensus across party lines.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called the garment sector a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s economy and said any future government must prioritise its growth and sustainability. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Amir Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said many in his party had direct experience in the garments industry, giving them valuable insight into how to make it globally competitive. He voiced support for the interim government’s reform agenda.
Humayun Kabir, Foreign Affairs Adviser to BNP’s acting chairman, also welcomed current labour initiatives, urging that reforms be expanded under any new administration.
Adding a personal touch, Dr Tasnim Jara of the Nationalist Citizens Party recalled volunteering as a medical student during the Rana Plaza tragedy, which she said shaped her political journey and commitment to safer labour practices.
In his closing remarks, Prof Yunus reiterated that meaningful labour reforms are essential not only for workers’ rights but also for strengthening investor confidence and securing Bangladesh’s economic future.
