Chief Adviser Professor Mohammad Yunus on Wednesday asked the officials concerned to reform the country’s labour law to meet international standards and improve the living conditions of millions of labourers employed in different sectors.
The Chief Adviser issued the directive during a meeting with the officials of the Labour and Employment Ministry ahead of the 353rd session of the International Labour Organisation to be held in Geneva between March 10 and 20.
Labour and Employment Ministry adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain will lead the Bangladesh delegation in the ILO session.
“We have to do everything positive and get things done. We are not here to make an excuse,” said the Chief Adviser.
The Chief Adviser also asked the officials to ensure insurance coverage and healthcare benefits for workers in Bangladesh’s labour sector.
Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, who joined the meeting online and is expected to be part of the Bangladesh delegation during the ILO session in Geneva, said that the country has already made significant progress in the labour sector.
“There are some extremely positive improvements. But the feeling among experts is that we are yet to be there,” he said.
Labour and Employment Ministry Adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain, secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman, Law and Justice Division Secretary Sheikh Abu Taher, and ILO Country Representative Tuomo Poutiainen were present at the meeting.
The Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva, Tareq Md. Ariful Islam, also joined the meeting virtually.
