A landmark ordinance, but execution is key

The biggest problem with Bangladesh's reform drive isn't a crisis of laws but rather the opposite of it. We have perhaps more laws than could be expected—and certainly more than some other countries do—but where they often come undone is in their inadequate and uneven implementation. Add to that the questionable provisions and omissions in some of the more critical pieces of legislation dealing with crimes, rights, and other aspects of governance. Enactment alone, therefore, cannot guarantee desired outcomes. It must be done right and followed through on properly.

The approval of the Bangladesh Labour Act (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, has once again brought these issues to the forefront. On paper, the revised law represents a sweeping reform measure, incorporating a total of 184 changes to its previous iteration. For instance, for the first time, it recognises domestic workers, seafarers, and employees of non-profit organisations, granting legal protections previously denied to these groups. Equally important is the criminalisation of blacklisting, a practice that long allowed employers to punish workers for raising grievances. Moreover, stricter measures against sexual harassment have been introduced, maternity benefits expanded, and gender-based wage discrimination prohibited. A dedicated fund for accident compensation and rehabilitation has also been created, while mandating private-sector employers to establish provident funds or enrol workers in a universal pension scheme.

The simplification of trade union formation is another significant development. By allowing unions to be formed with as few as 20 workers in smaller factories, the law strengthens the ability of workers to collectively bargain and assert their rights. Prior to its approval on Thursday, the interim government also ratified three key ILO conventions on occupational safety, health, and freedom from workplace violence and harassment, making Bangladesh the only South Asian country to ratify all ten fundamental ILO conventions. Together, these measures demonstrate a policy commitment to align national standards with international labour norms, and have the potential to make our workplaces more equitable, humane, and just.

But after enactment comes implementation, and this is where the main challenge lies. From that perspective, Bangladesh has only done half the work, making any complacency premature. For decades, we have seen how our workers, especially in labour-intensive sectors, were often left unprotected, enduring unsafe working conditions, delayed or withheld wages, and minimal legal recourse to address any grievances. Sadly, this pattern continued even during the tenure of the interim government formed after the July uprising, despite the sacrifices of workers in that revolution. This is why there are reasonable doubts that even this new landmark ordinance may come undone if the authorities, labour institutions, employers, and of course, political parties do not commit to rigorous enforcement going forward.

We must, therefore, view the amended law as but the first step in achieving workers' rights. In the coming days, the nation will be observing carefully to see how faithfully its provisions and commitments are honoured. In the new Bangladesh promised by the uprising, workers must be properly empowered, their voices duly respected, and their safety and welfare genuinely protected.