Year
2025
Reform Domain
Labour
Sub Domain
Employment
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Legal and Policy Framework
Last Update: 14-Dec-25
Bangladesh Labour Amendment Ordinance, 2025, included domestic workers, seafarers, and employees of non-profit organisations under the legal definition of “worker,” expanding the scope of protection and recognition.
Observation
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The Ordinance has partially expanded the legal protection for different categories of workers. For example, domestic workers are included only in specific chapters (Chapters 13,14 and 15) of the Ordinance that grant them the right to associate and form trade unions. However, there is still no requirement to provide them with ID cards or other entitlements that come with full legal recognition. The expanded definition of "worker" includes employees of non-profit organisations. While seafarers', who were already considered workers, now have full right to associate and form unions through the removal of the previous restrictions under Section 185. However, some categories of labour are still outside the current scope.
Measuring the progress of this reform's implementation may consider generating data for the following indicators:
(i) Proportion of workers receiving appointment letters and proof of employment across sectors.
(ii) Number of new job titles and categories included under the legal definition of “worker” (including the associated rules)
(iii) Number of tripartite discussions held and transitional provisions enacted for new "worker" categories.