Worker rights alliance urges all parties to adopt 15-point labour manifesto ahead of election
Respecting workers' demands is a matter of justice, not charity, it said
Ahead of the 13th National Parliament elections, the National Advocacy Alliance for Worker Rights has urged all political parties to incorporate a 15-point "Labour Manifesto" into their election pledges.
The demand was made today (12 January) at the "Jaitya Ongshijon Convention 2026", held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Agargaon, Dhaka, where worker leaders and political representatives gathered to discuss labour rights and reforms.
The convention opened with a welcome address by Nazrul Islam Khan, convener of the Alliance and secretary-general of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), and greetings from Max Tunon, country director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Bangladesh. The main points of the manifesto were presented by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmad, member secretary of the Alliance and executive director of BILS.
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Nazrul Islam Khan urged both ruling and opposition parties to implement the manifesto and uphold workers' rights. "A large number of working people in Bangladesh are not only voters but also the earning members of their families, exerting a major influence on society. Therefore, ensuring their welfare is of utmost importance for any government," he said.
Speakers highlighted the need for dignified work, fair wages, and protection of labour.
Abdul Kader Howlader stressed sufficient wages for a decent livelihood, while Ahsanul Mahmud Zobayer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami called on parties to learn from the labour movement. Saiful Haque of the Revolutionary Workers Party said respecting workers' demands is a matter of justice, not charity.
International representatives, including Phillip Bernier Arcand of the Canadian High Commission and Abu Saeed Belal of the EU, expressed support, while SM Fahimuddin Pasha of ITUC Asia-Pacific and C Sreekumar of the World Federation of Trade Unions praised the manifesto as a tool to advance labour reform.
Political leaders from NCP, Ganashonghoti Movement, CPB and BNP reaffirmed their commitment to workers' rights, minimum wages, pensions, and workplace safety. ILO's Max
Tunon expressed optimism that the roadmap for labour reform presented to the organisation would be actively pursued by the incoming government, with full ILO support.
The convention also included remarks from Sekandar Ali Mina on behalf of the Workers' Safety Forum, and closing thanks from Mesbahuddin Ahmed, who affirmed continued cooperation from political parties, international agencies, and civil society in securing workers' rights.
The event saw the participation of representatives from national and sectoral trade unions, UN agencies, foreign missions, international development organisations, civil society leaders, and key media and labour stakeholders, reflecting a broad consensus on advancing labour rights in Bangladesh.
