Bangladesh has become the only country in South Asia to ratify all 10 fundamental International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, following the signing of three landmark instruments—Nos. 190, 155 and 187—addressing violence and harassment, occupational safety and health (OSH), and the promotional framework for OSH.

Labour and Employment Adviser M Sakhawat Hussain signed the instruments of ratification on behalf of the government on October 22, in the presence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.

In a statement issued on October 23, IndustriALL Global Union said that the ratifications marked a major step forward in protecting workers’ rights and ensuring safer workplaces, following years of sustained campaigning by the organisation and its Bangladeshi affiliates, with support from global partners.

More than a decade after the 2013 Rana Plaza tragedy, which killed over 1,100 garment workers, unions in Bangladesh and the IndustriALL Bangladesh Council have continued to push for comprehensive reforms to strengthen workplace safety, enhance labour inspection systems and update OSH legislation.

‘This achievement belongs to the workers who have demanded safety and dignity for years. Now the challenge is to make sure these conventions are implemented so that every woman and every worker can work without fear,’ said Nazma Akhter, IndustriALL Executive Committee member and president of the Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation.

The statement said that the ratifications built upon earlier progress made through the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety, which was signed in 2013 by IndustriALL, UNI Global Union, and global brands.

It said that the Accord’s successor, the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) Sustainability Council (RSC), established in 2020, continued to enforce legally binding safety standards and operate an independent complaints mechanism for workers.

With women comprising the majority of Bangladesh’s garment workforce, unions have prioritised eliminating gender-based violence and discrimination in factories.

IndustriALL and its affiliates have promoted anti-harassment committees, gender-sensitive grievance procedures, and training programmes for both workers and supervisors.

Global framework agreements with major brands such as H&M and Inditex have further reinforced these commitments and strengthened accountability across supply chains.

‘Ratification must be followed by action. We will continue to monitor progress and ensure these international standards bring real improvements to workers’ lives,” said Babul Akhter, general secretary of the IndustriALL Bangladesh Council.

During a visit to Bangladesh in May 2025, IndustriALL representatives met with affiliates and senior government officials, including the Labour and Employment Adviser and the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy for International Affairs.

The delegation urged effective implementation of labour reforms, higher OSH standards and decent wages for all workers.

‘These ratifications are the result of persistent campaigning by trade unions and the solidarity of workers in Bangladesh and worldwide,’ said Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary.

He said that binding commitments, strong unions, and social dialogue were what drove real change.