Sakhawat Urges Global Buyer Brands To Ensure Fair Prices Of Bangladesh Products

Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch and Director for South Asia Emily Ashby met Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain at his Secretariat office on Sunday.

The meeting focused on the development of Bangladesh’s labour sector, facilitation of trade union registration, implementation of the US 11-point labour rights agreement, and strengthening bilateral trade cooperation.

Dr Sakhawat, who also serves as Shipping Adviser, said amendments to the Labour Act 2006—aligned with the US 11-point agreement, the International Labour Organization (ILO) roadmap, Labour Reform Commission recommendations, and the European Action Plan—have been incorporated into several legal provisions to ensure compliance with international labour standards.

He noted that Bangladesh, already a signatory to ILO Conventions 138 and 182 on child labour elimination, will soon ratify Conventions C155 and C187 on occupational health and safety and Convention C190 on preventing workplace violence and harassment. With these, Bangladesh would become the only South Asian country to ratify all 10 fundamental ILO conventions.

Responding to queries from the US delegation, Sakhawat said the minimum number of applicants required for trade union registration would be set on a numerical basis rather than a percentage. He also confirmed that new provisions will ban worker blacklisting and introduce penalties for violations.

Highlighting initiatives by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to safeguard labour rights and improve workplace safety, the adviser urged global buyer brands—through the US delegation—to ensure fair prices for Bangladeshi products.

Brendan Lynch commended Bangladesh’s economic growth and progress in labour reforms while stressing the importance of aligning labour laws with international standards. Both sides agreed on the need to further deepen cooperation in the labour sector and expand opportunities for trade and investment.

The meeting was attended by Additional Secretaries of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Amal Krishna Mondal and Md Humayun Kabir, senior officials, US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson, and Labour Attaché Lina Khan.