The state will implement its constitutional commitment to freedom of expression to uphold the right to organise; relax trade union restrictions to expand organising rights; and ensure a participatory, transparent, and accountable framework for collective bargaining.

Year
2025
Reform Domain
Labour Labour
Sub Domain
Right to Organization, Participation, Representation and Collective Bargaining
Source of Reform Proposals
Labour Reform Commission Report
Reform Proposed
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Legal and Policy Framework
Legal and Policy Framework
The Bangladesh Labour Amendment Ordinance, 2025, gazetted on 17 November 2025, has expanded the legal coverage of workers - including seafarers, agricultural and domestic workers, as well as workers and officials across both the formal and informal sectors - ensuring their rights to form trade unions and engage in collective bargaining.
Observation
    The first step of operationalisation is to formulate Bangladesh Labour Rules that uphold the spirit of reform proposed. At the same time, more efforts are required to build knowledge and awareness around trade unionism to balance the pursuit of worker rights with business interests.
Resources
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Related Reforms

The state will take appropriate measures to eliminate child labour, adolescent labour, and forced labour. Effective actions will be taken to close all forms of forced labour, including through advance bonding and other methods
Legal and Policy Framework
To ensure the right to protection from all forms of harassment and violence, including sexual harassment, the state will take special measures. In accordance with the 2009 High Court directive, all factories and institutions will be required to adopt policies against sexual harassment and violence. It is also essential to establish complaint cells and dispute resolution committees. The state will endorse ILO Convention 190.
Legal and Policy Framework
To establish a culture of dignified work environments, the state will stop the use of derogatory, power-centric language based on class, gender, race, and ethnicity. The term “women” will be replaced by “female” in the labour laws. The use of informal address such as “tui-tumi” in workplaces will be stopped. The use of Bangla will be promoted in all judicial bodies, from Labour Appeal Tribunals to the High Court and Appellate Division.
Legal and Policy Framework
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Glossary

Last Updated: 14th December 2025

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