Geneva, Switzerland – Bangladesh has officially taken over the role of coordinator for the Asia-Pacific Group (ASPAG) countries within the International Labour Organization (ILO) for the upcoming year. The handover occurred yesterday from Japan during a meeting of ASPAG labor ministers in Geneva.
During the meeting, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser for Labor and Employment, Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hussain, formally sought the support of all member countries, affirming Bangladesh’s commitment to “building a fair and inclusive labor market.”
Initiating his remarks, Dr. Hussain extended gratitude to the ILO and outgoing ASPAG coordinator Japan. He underscored the Asia-Pacific region’s significant global economic and labor contributions, noting it accounts for “60 percent of the global labor market and 40 percent of the GDP.” Despite this, he highlighted the region’s prevalent challenges, including the large informal sector, deficits in social protection, and the escalating climate crisis.
Discussions at the meeting encompassed a wide range of issues critical to ASPAG nations, including sustainable development, workers’ rights, the protection of migrant workers, and strategies for addressing the impacts of climate change.
Adviser Hussain also elaborated on Bangladesh’s domestic progress, stating that the Ministry of Labor and Employment, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is actively engaged in amending the Labor Act 2006, streamlining trade union registration processes, and enhancing the overall working environment for laborers. He added, “In addition, skill development and employment creation for youth are our priorities.”
The meeting was attended by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, representatives from 14 Asia-Pacific Group countries, Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Employment AHM Shafiquzzaman, BEPZA Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, and Additional Inspector General of Police Gazi Jasim Uddin.
