Bepza, ILO sign deal to strengthen workers’ rights in EPZs

The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to implement a two-year action plan (2025–2027) focused on labour reforms, aimed at strengthening workers' rights and enhancing workplace safety across Bangladesh's export processing zones (EPZs).

Under this agreement, Bepza and the ILO will collaborate on fortifying labour administration, promoting responsible business conduct, and piloting an employment injury scheme.

Maj Gen Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, executive chairman of Bepza, and Tuomo Poutiainen, country director for Bangladesh at the ILO, signed the LoI at Bepza's headquarters in Dhaka today, according to a press release.

Poutiainen remarked, "This is a significant step forward."

"Today, we strengthen our partnership with Bepza through technical collaboration in three vital areas: labour administration, responsible business conduct, and the employment injury scheme—building a future marked by reformed labour laws, enhanced social dialogue and labour inspection systems, expanded social protection, and inclusive economic progress," he added.

Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy to the chief adviser, was also present at the signing ceremony.

The action plan aspires to uphold labour rights, reinforce social protection, and ensure a safe, healthy working environment for EPZ workers.

Senior officials from Bepza, along with representatives from the ILO's offices in Dhaka and Geneva, also attended the event.