US envoy emphasizes labor law enforcement in Bangladesh-US trade

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U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter D. Haas, has emphasized that the progress and effective implementation of Bangladesh’s labor law are critically important for the bilateral trade relationship between Bangladesh and the United States.

Haas made these remarks during a courtesy call on the Minister of Labour and Employment, Md. Ejajul Islam, at the secretariat on Wednesday. The meeting addressed various issues of mutual interest between the two nations.

According to a press release signed by Mohammad Jamil Hossain, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the minister expressed gratitude for the United States’ continuous support in developing Bangladesh’s labor sector. He also conveyed his hope for the continued assistance of the U.S. in further enhancing Bangladesh’s international image.

“There are ample opportunities to collaborate with the United States in developing the labor sector and ensuring workers’ rights,” the minister stated. He highlighted that Bangladesh’s labor law was passed by the National Parliament in 2026, aligning with the eleven points proposed by the U.S. concerning labor.

Ambassador Haas thanked Bangladesh for amending the labor law and expressed satisfaction that the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions and the eleven points proposed by the United States have been incorporated into the new legislation.

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He stressed the significance of the law’s effective implementation for fulfilling trade and other agreements between the U.S. and Bangladesh. The ambassador also underscored the importance of expediting the law’s enactment by issuing regulations promptly.

In response, the minister assured that regulations would be drafted to implement the law swiftly. He also requested U.S. technical assistance to raise workers’ awareness regarding labor rights and safe working environments.

The ambassador commended initiatives to simplify and modernize trade union registration processes, as well as the plan to adjust workers’ wages every three years. He expressed confidence that the long-standing relationship between Bangladesh and the United States would deepen in the future.

The meeting was attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, M. Nazrul Islam, Joint Secretary Abdus Samad Al Azad, and officials from the U.S. Embassy, including Counselor Eric Gillan and Labor Attaché Lina Khan.