Desk Report:
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said that a large portion of workers in Bangladesh are still in the informal sector. Although a significant portion of workers, especially in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, are in the formal sector, a large portion of the overall labor force is still informal. To take the country to a sustainable and balanced position, all sectors must be gradually brought under the formal structure.
He said this while addressing the 94th meeting of the Tripartite Consultative Council (TCC) and the 22nd meeting of the Tripartite Consultative Council on RMG (RMG TTC) at the CIRDAP International Center in Dhaka on Tuesday (March 3, 2026).
The Commerce Minister said that the government is taking alternative and effective steps to help low-income people. The preparatory work for the Family Card program announced in the election manifesto is progressing rapidly. The implementation of this program will start soon under the Prime Minister’s direction.
One family card will be provided to each family and through it, assistance worth 2,500 taka per month will be provided. As a result, financial stability among the low-income population of the country will be ensured to some extent, added Khandaker Muktadir.
He said that although there is no direct ration system, the purpose of ration will be fulfilled to a large extent through family cards. In the meeting, he emphasized on organizing TTC meetings regularly.
He said that there are various problems in the industrial and labor sectors of Bangladesh, and regular discussions and exchange of views are very important to solve these problems. Drawing attention to the Labor Secretary, he said that meetings must be organized regularly to fulfill the goal for which TTC has been formed.
He also said that arguments or heated words may arise during the discussion, but it is a normal part of democratic discussion. There is nothing to panic about this; rather, sustainable solutions to problems are possible through mutual dialogue.
He said that if the labor sector is not formalized, it will not be possible to ensure compliance with international standards and the benefits due to workers will not be fully ensured.
The event was chaired by Labor and Employment and Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, and State Minister for Labor and Employment and Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque and Prime Minister’s Advisor Mahdi Amin also spoke as special guests at the event.
Bangladesh Employers Federation Fazle Hasan Shamim and
TTC Vice President Md. Anwar Hossain also spoke at the event.
The meeting reviewed the overall labor situation in the country, discussed effective steps to resolve labor dissatisfaction in the RMG sector, and discussed in detail the payment of salaries and allowances to factory workers and granting leave on the occasion of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Fitr.
The event was moderated by Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Employment Md. Abdur Rahman Tarafdar.
Leaders from both the employer and worker sides were present at the meeting.
