Govt signs 3 key ILO conventions on workers’ rights

Staff Reporter :

The interim government has signed three major conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), marking what Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus described as a “historic day in the struggle for workers’ rights.”

Adviser on Labour and Employment and Shipping Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain signed the instruments of ratification in the presence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at a ceremony held at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday.

Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfe Siddique, Secretary to the Chief Adviser’s Office Md Mahmudul Hossain Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Dr Md Sanowar Jahan Bhuiyan, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh Max Tunon, and other senior officials were present on the occasion.

The three conventions ratified are: the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155); the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187); and the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190). Of these, Conventions 187 and 155 are considered fundamental ILO conventions, a status conferred in 2022.

Recalling the 2013 Rana Plaza tragedy, Professor Yunus said, “After the Rana Plaza disaster, the then government agreed to many things but did not deliver. It was always ‘in process.’ We said – no more of that. We will do it.”

He added that his first priority as Chief Adviser was to secure labour rights. “I held meeting after meeting, insisting that this had to be done. Signing these conventions benefits everyone.
When I was told I’d need to attend the Geneva session, I tried to understand why no one had gone before.”
Expressing gratitude to all involved, Yunus said, “After a long journey, we have reached the destination. This is just the first step. Signing the papers is not the end – it is the beginning. We must now fulfil the promises we have made, make sure people know what these conventions stand for, and raise awareness everywhere.”
Calling the day “memorable in Bangladesh’s labour rights history,” he reflected, “From the tragedy of Rana Plaza began a journey that has now reached a milestone. The workers who lost their lives passed a responsibility on to us, and today we’ve crossed an important stage. I had promised myself I would see this through, and I feel joy that we have reached this point. Our efforts will only be meaningful if we ensure full implementation.”
Labour Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) Dr Sakhawat Hossain called it a significant day for the interim government.