Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Member of Parliament for Pabna-5 and chief coordinator of the Nationalist Workers’ Party, addressed the 114th International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, highlighting the need for stronger global cooperation to protect workers’ rights amid rapid technological change.

In his speech at the UN Office in Geneva, the labour leader emphasised workers’ fundamental rights, the challenges of employment in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), protection of migrant workers, labour law reforms, and the importance of building an inclusive and sustainable labour system through enhanced international collaboration.

The conference, being held from 31 May to 12 June 2026, brought together representatives of governments, workers and employers from across the world. As part of the proceedings, Shimul Biswas delivered his address on 8 June at 4:45pm local time.

He travelled to Geneva on 30 May as a workers’ representative nominated by labour organisations and the Bangladesh government to participate in the global forum.

At the outset of his speech, he praised the timely and thoughtful report of the ILO Director-General and reaffirmed the commitment of Bangladesh’s working people to the organisation’s core principles of justice, dignity, equality and decent work for all.

He said Bangladesh’s democratic system had been restored through a long political struggle and the 2024 public uprising, followed by the 2026 national election, describing his own election to Parliament as a reflection of the trust and recognition of working people.

The MP stressed that freedom of association and the right of workers to participate in collective bargaining are essential components of a democratic and just state system.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s labour force of around 73.5 million and nearly 18.5 million migrant workers abroad, he called for greater investment in skills development, technological capacity building and worker protection.

He also proposed the creation of a global framework based on skills, technology and knowledge sharing for developing countries.

The labour leader welcomed the proposed ILO Convention on decent work in the platform economy, emphasising the need to ensure protection, recognition and rights for platform-based workers.

He also called for coordinated international efforts to safeguard the rights, safety and dignity of migrant workers.

Shimul Biswas noted that Bangladesh has recently ratified three ILO conventions, including two fundamental ones, and underscored the importance of labour law reforms, legal protection, social security, worker representation and stronger social dialogue.

He concluded by calling for a tripartite framework involving governments, employers and workers to build an inclusive, fair and sustainable working environment, while reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to the rights, dignity and welfare of workers worldwide.