The Labour Law and Regulatory Affairs Cell (LLRAC) of Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF), in collaboration with the Labour Administration and Working Conditions (LAWC) Cluster of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office for Bangladesh, organized a face-to-face Legal Clinic on Current Labour Issues and International Labour Standards (ILS) on 27 September 2026 at BEF Office, Chamber Building (4th Floor), 122-124, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
The initiative was supported under the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Decent Work in Bangladesh, a joint effort of the European Union, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
The Legal Clinic provided a dedicated platform for officers of BEF member organizations to engage in discussions and exchange views on contemporary labour law issues and International Labour Standards (ILS). The program facilitated practical knowledge-sharing on the Bangladesh Labour Act (BLA) and relevant ILS, enabling participants to share workplace experiences, clarify legal and practical concerns, and strengthen their understanding of labour law, industrial relations, and related compliance matters.
The participants actively engaged in the discussions and shared their respective organizational practices and experiences in relation to the issues included in the agenda. The session covered a range of contemporary and practical labour law issues. Among the key matters discussed were the continuation of the status of an existing Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) following the registration of another trade union, as well as the validity, binding effect, and continued applicability of agreements executed between the management and the existing CBA. The participants also discussed the legal provisions relating to temporary closure, annual leave, and lay-off, including the legal implications of closing or resuming operations before the expiry of the prescribed lay-off period. In addition, the session addressed issues concerning forced labour, employers’ legal obligations, and preventive measures that enterprises may adopt to ensure compliance with applicable labour laws and International Labour Standards (ILS).
Mr. Md. Saidul Islam, Additional Secretary-General, BEF, delivered the welcome remarks at the opening session of the Legal Clinic. Mr. Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Assistant Secretary-General (Legal Affairs), BEF, facilitated the session.
Ms. Rukshana Yasmin Arzoo, Senior Programme Officer, ILO Country Office for Bangladesh, attended the Legal Clinic and gave her comments.
A total of 28 participants, representing the Human Resources, Administration, Compliance, and Legal Departments of BEF member organizations, including BGMEA, BKMEA, FLAXA, Healthcare Pharma, Bangladesh Lamps PLC, Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Square Group, Transcom and other companies, attended the Legal Clinic. The active participation and exchange of practical experiences among the participants contributed to making the session an effective platform for enhancing knowledge, promoting legal compliance, and strengthening sound labour and industrial relations practices in enterprises.
