Year in Review 2025

Strengthening Social Protection and Labour Reforms

Under this theme, CPD pursued a coherent agenda to make Bangladesh’s labour market fairer and social protection more comprehensive. It advised the Labour Reform Commission on wages, safety, union rights, gender equality and the elimination of child and forced labour. Through successive Social Insurance Forums, CPD advanced legal and design frameworks for employment injury insurance, maternity insurance and unemployment insurance, stressing the need for a Social Insurance Act, unified funds and robust worker databases. Complementary work on social dialogue and industrial relations highlighted transparency, tripartite engagement and stronger enforcement so that reforms translate into real protection for workers across sectors.

ACTIVITIES

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    Transparency in Social Dialogue and Strengthening Workers’ Rights Crucial for Industrial...

    Ensuring transparency in social dialogue and safeguarding workers' rights are crucial for the long-term sustainability of any industrial sector. These elements are vital not only for improving worker welfare but also for maintaining the stability and growth of the industrial sector.

    A Clear Legal Mandate Urged as Bangladesh Moves Toward Unemployment Insurance

    Bangladesh’s long-discussed Unemployment Insurance (UI) scheme has gained renewed urgency as experts stressed the need for a dedicated law and stronger institutions to protect workers facing sudden job loss.

    Urgent Updates Needed to Bangladesh Labour Act for EIS Nationwide Implementation

    The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has stressed the urgent need to update the Bangladesh Labour Act (BLA) to ensure the nationwide implementation of the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS)

    Third Social Insurance Forum Charts Course for Maternity Insurance in Bangladesh

    Explore how maternity insurance in Bangladesh will support expectant mothers, improve healthcare access, and reduce costs by 2026 through the NSIS.

    CPD proposed agenda for the Labour Reform Commission

    Bangladesh’s workforce endures persistent challenges that urgently require comprehensive reform to improve living standards and workplace conditions. Acknowledging this need, the Interim Government established the Labour Reform Commission in November 2024

    PUBLICATIONS

    Development of a Framework for Establishing Maternity Insurance in Bangladesh

    Bangladesh is preparing to introduce a maternity insurance scheme by 2026, aligning with its National Social Security Strategy. This report presents an evidence-based framework tailored to the country’s healthcare and labour realities, especially for low-income and informal sector women.

    Development of a Framework for Establishing Maternity Insurance in Bangladesh

    Bangladesh is at a critical juncture in its journey toward establishing an inclusive social protection framework.

    Ensuring Universal Health Coverage through Primary Healthcare Services in Bangladesh

    Universal health coverage in Bangladesh faces barriers like low spending, rural-urban gaps, and high out-of-pocket costs.

    Labour Market Assessment 2024 – Kishoreganj District

    The assessment aims to identify key economic sectors, analyse labour market conditions, evaluate gender-specific barriers, and assess the demand for technical and soft skills.

    শ্রমিকের জীবনযাত্রা, কর্মক্ষেত্রের নিরাপত্তা ও অধিকার—সম্পর্কিত ইস্যু সমূহের সংস্কার: অন্তর্বর্তীকালীন সরকারের জন্য একটি করণীয়...

    শ্রম অধিকার ও শ্রমিকের কল্যাণ-সম্পর্কিত বিষয়াদির উন্নতিসাধনে প্রয়োজনীয় সংস্কার সাধনকল্পে ২০২৪ সালের ১৮ নভেম্বর বাংলাদেশের অন্তর্বর্তীকালীন সরকার ‘শ্রম সংস্কার কমিশন’ শীর্ষক একটি কমিশন গঠন করে।

    Reforms in Workers’ Livelihood, Workplace Safety and Rights related Issues – An Agenda for...

    The interim government of Bangladesh established the ‘Labour Reform Commission’, tasked with proposing reforms to improve labour rights and workers’ welfare. The commission is formed as part of addressing various structural, institutional, operational, weaknesses concerning workers’ life and livelihood.