Experts from different stakeholders on Sunday underscored the need for ensuring quality employment, evidence-based wage policies, and decent work to graduate from Least developed countries (LDCs) successfully in 2026.

Emphasising the need for a collective approach to ensure decent work and foster social justice, they stressed joint efforts for actionable policies to improve the livelihoods of the workforce as well as safeguard their fundamental rights and safety in the workplace.

They made the remarks at a national dialogue organised jointly, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

Speaking on the occasion, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen remarked "To support successful LDC graduation, Bangladesh must advance key development goals, including prioritising jobs creation, evidence-based wage policies and robust Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards.”

He also pointed out that the ILO remains a committed partner to the Government of Bangladesh in achieving these objectives.

As the Chief Guest, the State Minister for the Ministry of Labour and Employment Md. Nazrul Islam Chowdhury emphasised the government's commitment to labour reform. 

“Our dedication is to promote decent work and advance social justice remain steadfast. Together, we will build a Bangladesh where all worker's rights are protected, and their contributions valued” he stated.
 
Masud Bin Momen, the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, underscored the importance of the multi-stakeholder dialogues on certain labour-related issues, stating, "Employment generation and Decent work are in the highest priorities during the present five-year term of the current government. 

These principles are deeply integrated into our national development strategies, including the GB roadmap (2021-2026) and the National Action Plan on the Labour Sector of Bangladesh (2021-2026). He added that these are essential for fostering sustainable growth, including increased trade and investments.
 
Mahbub Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said, "Our joint efforts have generated concrete, actionable policies aimed at improving the livelihoods of our workforce as well as safeguarding their fundamental rights and safety in the workplace."

Other stakeholders convened on Promoting Decent Work for Social Justice, underscoring Bangladesh's commitment to labour reform for equitable and sustained growth as the country prepares for sustainable graduation to an upper-middle-income, developing country by the end of this decade.