Bangladesh will include a strict ban on forced labour in its amended labour law, Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain said Tuesday.
He told Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi that the revisions would follow advice from the International Labour Organisation and the European Action Plan.
After ratifying two major ILO conventions on child labour (138 and 182), Bangladesh is now turning its attention to workplace safety. The government is in the process of ratifying three additional conventions that address occupational health and safety standards.
Sakhawat said Bangladesh recently became the new coordinating country for the Asia-Pacific Group of labour ministers, a role previously held by Japan. Calling it a significant responsibility, he said the country plans to host a regional conference of ASPAG labour ministers later this year.
He asked for Japan’s support to upgrade the National Occupational Health and Safety Training Institute in Rajshahi to meet international standards.
On the ship breaking sector, Sakhawat noted that several shipyards have already received green certificates under the Hong Kong Convention. The government will assist the remaining yards to achieve the same standard, he said. Bangladesh also seeks Japanese backing for its bid for Category C membership in the International Maritime Organisation Council for the 2026–27 term.
The Japanese ambassador discussed the labour law amendments, the ban on forced labour, and the development of the ship breaking industry. He also raised plans for a dockyard at Matarbari and the National Port Strategy for Chittagong Port.
He said Japan’s government would continue to work with Bangladesh in what he described as a relationship built on trust and cooperation.
