Latest news with #LutfeySiddiqi
Fibre2Fashion
21-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
BEPZA, ILO sign agreement to boost labour standards in EPZs
The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) signed a letter of intent with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to implement a two-year action plan on labour reform (2025–2027). BEPZA signed a letter of intent with the ILO to implement a two-year labour reform plan, aiming to strengthen workers' rights, workplace safety, and social protection in Bangladesh's EPZs. The partnership, praised for its collaborative spirit, aligns with national strategies and supports decent work. BEPZA's zones are recognised for high labour standards, better wages, and worker welfare. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy to the chief adviser, described BEPZA as a symbol of excellence in labour and environmental standards, highlighting its significant contributions to Bangladesh's economic growth. He highlighted that BEPZA's export processing zones are recognised for their high standards, strong worker welfare, and investor confidence—serving as a model for others to follow. He emphasised that EPZ workers receive 30-40 per cent higher wages and better welfare benefits compared to non-EPZ workers. He also appreciated the collaborative spirit of the action plan, which focuses on strengthening workers' rights and aligning EPZ labour standards with international norms, ensuring mutual respect and shared growth. BEPZA executive chairman major general Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman and ILO country director Tuomo Poutiainen signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. The letter of intent aims to ensure workers' rights, social protection, and safe working conditions in EPZs. 'The two-year action plan between BEPZA and ILO will strengthen labour standards, workers' rights, and workplace safety in EPZs. It aligns with the National Action Plan (NAP) and National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) of Bangladesh, promoting decent work and social dialogue,' said Ziaur Rahman. He further noted that this initiative will play a crucial role in boosting the confidence of international buyers and investors, thereby enhancing the country's export and industrial capacity, which will support the development of a sustainable industrial sector and overall economic growth. He also recalled the successful and continuous collaboration between ILO and BEPZA in promoting decent work, social dialogue, workers' rights, and workplace safety within the zones under BEPZA. 'Today, we are deepening this partnership through technical collaboration in three key areas: labour administration, responsible business conduct, and the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS),' recalling successful past collaboration with BEPZA, Poutiainen said. Reflecting on his visits to most of the EPZs, he observed that fundamental rights such as workplace safety, workers' rights, welfare, childcare, and healthcare are already well-established in EPZs. He expressed confidence that this letter of intent will help structure these positive practices further and align them with broader government policies. Currently, BEPZA operates eight EPZs across the country, along with the BEPZA economic zone in Mirsharai, Chattogram. Additionally, work is underway to establish two more EPZs in Patuakhali and Jashore district. Since its inception, BEPZA has played a crucial role in the national economy of Bangladesh. BEPZA hosts 447 industrial enterprises, with around 550 thousand workers employed. To date, the total investment in the EPZs has amounted to $7.13 billion, and total exports have reached $117.62 billion. BEPZA conducts a range of welfare initiatives for the workers of its zones. Hospitals or medical centers have been set up in various EPZs to ensure free healthcare services for the workers, along with day-care centres for the care of workers' children. Furthermore, BEPZA-run schools provide subsidized education for the children of EPZ workers. BEPZA also conducts various awareness activities related to health protection for workers. The event was attended by several other high-ranking officials of BEPZA, including representatives from ILO Dhaka and Geneva.
Free Malaysia Today
16-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Foreign worker recruitment must be based on needs, not business interests, says ministry
Malaysia and Bangladesh have agreed to strengthen the technical coordination mechanism for labour management through a joint working group. KUALA LUMPUR : The recruitment of foreign workers into Malaysia must be based on actual sectoral needs and demands, not driven by business interests or profit-making motives, human resources minister Steven Sim said today. In a statement issued by the ministry, Sim said its approach aligned with efforts to ensure a more transparent, ethical, and jointly responsible labour management system. The statement followed Sim's courtesy meeting yesterday with Asif Nazrul, adviser to Bangladesh's ministry of expatriates' welfare and overseas employment, and Lutfey Siddiqi, Bangladesh's special envoy for international affairs. The statement said that during the meeting, Malaysia and Bangladesh agreed to strengthen the technical coordination mechanism for labour management through a joint working group (JWG). 'This step is crucial to ensure that issues can be addressed in a timely manner, based on mutual understanding and shared responsibility. The next JWG meeting is scheduled to take place on May 21 and 22 in Dhaka,' it added In the meeting, which aimed to strengthen the commitment of both countries to improving governance in labour management, the human resources ministry said Malaysia also shared its long-term strategy to reduce dependence on foreign workers. To that end, the ministry said the government was in the process of implementing a multi-tier levy system which would not only encourage the hiring of local workers but also help build a more sustainable and competitive labour market. 'The minister noted that both countries are now led by reformist governments with a political will to carry out comprehensive reforms in cross-border labour management. 'This presents an important opportunity to reset the existing system, to become more accountable, transparent, and fair to workers,' the statement said. It said Malaysia also expressed its appreciation to the Bangladesh government for recognising its efforts to tackle abuse and misconduct in labour management processes. 'During the meeting, Bangladesh also confirmed that Malaysia was not involved in any of the alleged misconduct previously raised, and expressed its support for Malaysia's firm and principled stance on the issue of human trafficking. 'This visit reflects the shared commitment of Malaysia and Bangladesh to strengthen cross-border labour governance based on the principles of integrity, human rights, and universal well-being,' it said.
Free Malaysia Today
15-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Bangladesh clears Malaysia of labour abuse claims, says HR ministry
Human resources minister Steven Sim with Asif Nazrul, adviser to Bangladesh's Expatriates' Welfare Ministry (right), and Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy for international affairs (left). (HR Ministry pic) PETALING JAYA : The Bangladeshi government has confirmed that Malaysia was not involved in any misconduct concerning the recruitment or treatment of Bangladeshi workers, and voiced its support for Malaysia's firm stance against forced labour and human trafficking. This assurance came during a courtesy visit to human resources minister Steven Sim by two senior Bangladeshi officials – Asif Nazrul, adviser to the expatriates' welfare and overseas employment ministry, and Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy for international affairs. In a statement, the human resources ministry thanked Bangladesh for recognising Malaysia's efforts to reform the foreign worker recruitment system and crack down on abuse. 'The Bangladeshi side confirmed that Malaysia was not involved in any of the previously raised allegations and voiced its support for our principled and firm stance against human trafficking,' it said. Earlier today, Bloomberg reported that Malaysia had asked Bangladesh to review and withdraw 'unsubstantiated allegations' of wrongdoing in labour migration between the two countries to improve Malaysia's rating in an annual US report on human trafficking. A letter dated April 23, reportedly sent to Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, senior secretary of Bangladesh's expatriates' welfare ministry, conveyed Malaysia's concern about the potential impact of the allegations. During today's meeting, the ministry said Sim stressed that foreign worker recruitment should be driven by genuine industry needs, and not for profit. 'This approach aligns with the government's commitment to a more transparent, ethical, and responsibly managed labour system,' it added in the statement. Both nations also agreed to strengthen their coordination through the Joint Working Group (JWG), which will reconvene on May 21-22 in Dhaka to address technical matters related to labour management. 'This visit signals a shared resolve by Malaysia and Bangladesh to build a cross-border labour system grounded in integrity, human rights, and fairness,' the ministry added. Malaysia to recruit nearly 8,000 stranded workers Putrajaya has also agreed to begin processing 7,964 Bangladeshi workers from among the more than 17,000 who were unable to enter Malaysia before the May 31, 2024 deadline, despite meeting all conditions. 'As proposed by Bangladesh, the recruitment process of those workers will be handled by Bangladesh Overseas Employment Services Limited (BOESL),' the Bangladesh high commission in Kuala Lumpur said in a separate statement. The Bangladeshi delegation also held a separate meeting with home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, from whom they requested multiple-entry visas for their workers. 'The Malaysian government informed that they are currently working on a proposal to revisit the provision of a single-entry visa for Bangladeshi workers,' the statement read. The statement also noted that Bangladesh urged Malaysia to consider hiring more skilled and professional Bangladeshi workers, including nurses, doctors, and security personnel. 'The Malaysian minister took positive note of the proposal, especially for the recruitment of nurses and agreed to work at the technical level to explore opportunities for migration in those sectors,' it read.
