Labor Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury Leaves for Geneva to Attend International Labour Conference

Bangladesh’s Labor Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury departed for Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday night to participate in the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC), where global leaders, policymakers, employers, and workers’ representatives will discuss key labor and employment issues.

The conference, organized by the International Labour Organization, is being attended by nearly 5,000 delegates representing governments, employers, and workers from 187 countries. Bangladesh is scheduled to address the plenary session on June 8.

During his speech, Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury is expected to highlight Bangladesh’s progress in labor rights, social justice, workplace safety, and employment generation. He will also outline the significance of the recently enacted Labour (Amendment) Act 2026 and its contribution to strengthening workers’ rights and protections.

On the sidelines of the conference, the minister is expected to hold meetings with the ILO Director-General, senior officials of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Labour Centre, and representatives from several countries, including South Korea, to discuss labor cooperation and workforce development.

The Bangladeshi delegation includes Labor Secretary Md. Abdur Rahman Tarafdar and other government officials. Representatives from employer organizations and labor unions are also participating in the conference.

Officials believe Bangladesh’s participation in the conference will provide an important platform to showcase recent labor reforms, strengthen international partnerships, and promote sustainable employment and workers’ welfare in an evolving global labor market.