National Alliance for Just Transition - Bangladesh

21/08/2026

Workers and employers must have a place at the COP31 table.

The Bangladesh Government has formed a subcommittee to prepare Bangladesh’s position paper for COP31. However, the committee does not appear to include representatives of workers or employers. This raises an important concern about the inclusiveness of the process.

Workers are at the heart of a just transition. They are among the first to experience the impacts of climate change—extreme heat, unsafe working conditions, loss of livelihoods, job displacement and changing skill demands. Any climate policy that affects their lives must include their voices.

Employers also have a vital role. They are responsible for making workplaces safer, reducing environmental impacts, investing in greener production, developing workers’ skills and ensuring that the transition does not leave anyone behind.

The Government, employers and workers are the three key partners in social dialogue. Each brings essential knowledge, experience and responsibility.

Without their meaningful participation, how can Bangladesh develop a climate position that is fair, practical and implementable?

We urge the Government to include representative workers’ and employers’ organisations in both the COP31 preparation process and the national delegation.

A just transition cannot be planned only for workers and employers, it must be planned with them.

29/04/2026

29/04/2026

A Big Day for the Workers of Bangladesh!

NAJTB Convenes Its First Executive Council Meeting, Pledging Collective Action for a Worker-Centred Just and Inclusive Transition

Dhaka, 29 April 2026 — The National Alliance for Just Transition Bangladesh (NAJTB) formally inaugurated its activities and convened its First Executive Council Meeting today at FARS Hotel & Resorts, Paltan, Dhaka.

The meeting brought together Alliance members from national and sectoral trade union organizations, civil society organizations, and development partners, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) Bangladesh, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), Karmojibi Nari, Awaj Foundation, Fair Wear Foundation, Solidarity Center–Bangladesh Office, Bangladesh Center for Workers’ Solidarity (BCWS), Union to Union, Shobujer Ovijan Foundation, Transform Trade Bangladesh, WARBE Development Foundation, and other stakeholders.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a worker-centred, just, and inclusive transition in the context of climate change and technological transformation.

The programme began with welcome remarks from Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Executive Coordinator of NAJTB, who addressed the Alliance members and highlighted the importance of coordinated action.

A comprehensive briefing session followed, presenting NAJTB’s background, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), work plan, and action plan. Participants actively engaged in the discussion and provided valuable feedback to help shape the Alliance’s strategic direction.

The second session focused on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0 and the Just Transition framework, highlighting pathways for trade unions and labour rights organizations to meaningfully influence national climate policies and ensure that no worker is left behind.

The programme was chaired by Md. Anwar Hossain, Chief Coordinator of NAJTB and President of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal (BJSD). He underscored the importance of collective action to safeguard workers’ rights, ensure social protection, and promote decent work throughout the transition process.

The meeting concluded with a summary of key outcomes, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by AKM Ashraf Uddin, Secretariat of NAJTB.

NAJTB seeks to strengthen social dialogue among government, employers, and workers; promote comprehensive social protection; and advocate for equitable and inclusive policies across sectors affected by climate change and technological transformation

07/10/2025

07/10/2025

06/10/2025

Just Transition Convention 2025 | Her Work Her Voice: Advancing Gender Justice in Climate & Tech Futures

Organized by the Bangladesh Labour Foundation BLF in association with the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies BILS and with the support of Mondiaal FNV versterkt werknemers wereldwijd, this powerful session was moderated by Nazma Yesmin (BILS) and featured a keynote presentation by Ali Sampreety (Awaz Foundation).

The discussion brought together voices including Dr. Samina Luthfa (University of Dhaka), Shamim Ara (SKOP), Bablur Rahman (Fair Wear Foundation), Kalpona Akter (BCWS), Khadiza Khondker (ILO), Amanur Rahman (CARE), Farzana Sharmin (BKMEA), and Mushfiqua Zaman Satiar (Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh), who shed light on the intersecting challenges of gender inequality, automation, and climate change faced by women workers, especially in the informal sector.

Speakers emphasized that women’s economic contribution, often unpaid and undervalued, must be recognized through gender justice, fair wages, social protection and inclusive policies. The session highlighted that automation and climate crises disproportionately affect women, calling for targeted investment in skills development, leadership inclusion and climate-resilient livelihoods.

The dialogue reaffirmed that empowering women with the principle of “My Work, My Voice” is essential for achieving a truly Just Transition; one that ensures equality, dignity and resilience for all workers.

05/10/2025

Just Transition Convention 2025 | Bangladesh at the Crossroads: Addressing Policy Shortfalls

Organized by the Bangladesh Labour Foundation BLF in association with the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies BILS with the support of Mondiaal FNV versterkt werknemers wereldwijd, this session featured a presentation by Habibur Rahman, Department of Social Welfare, Islamic University Bangladesh, with a panel discussion moderated by Kohinoor Mahmood (TCC).

Panelists included AKM Nasim (Solidarity Center Bangladesh Office), Salahuddin Swapan (Trade Union Leader, IBC), Md Liakath Ali (Director, Climate Change, BRAC), Monjurul Islam (Trade Union Leader, SKOP), Dr. Badrun Nessa Ahmed (Senior Research Fellow, BIDS), Hasnat Alam (Economist & Senior Manager, Policy Exchange Bangladesh), and Sifat E Nur Khanam (Associate Legal Specialist, BLAST).

The discussion focused on the policy and legal gaps in implementing Just Transition in Bangladesh, highlighting the need for worker-centric, gender-sensitive, and inclusive frameworks. Key points included strengthening labor laws, integrating Just Transition into national policies, ensuring social protection, addressing informal sector vulnerabilities, providing skill development and reskilling opportunities, and creating institutional mechanisms for accountability and enforcement. Panelists emphasized that climate change, automation, and technological shifts must be addressed alongside workers’ rights to achieve a truly fair and sustainable transition.

05/10/2025

Just Transition Convention 2025
Shaping Tomorrow : Youth and Women Leading the Transition to Justice

Organized by the Bangladesh Labour Foundation BLF in association with the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies BILS with the support of Mondiaal FNV versterkt werknemers wereldwijd,this session was moderated by Roksana Afroz Asha (NCCWE) and featured a presentation by Md Zubaer Alam, Program Officer, Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF), and a panel discussion with Sifat Chowdhury (BLF), Kawsar Ahmed (JSF), Kuasha Akter (WRC), Tasnia Ahmed (Ipas Bangladesh), Hasan Ali (IBC Youth Committee), Lutfa Pathan (SERAC Bangladesh), Sohanur Rahman (YouthNet Global), and Tanzila Tajreen (Dutch Embassy).

The discussion highlighted the critical role of youth and women in driving a Just Transition in Bangladesh. Panelists emphasized the need for skills development, meaningful participation, social protection, and policy recognition to ensure women and young workers are prepared for climate change, technological shifts, and automation. Challenges such as low female workforce participation, informal sector vulnerabilities, limited trade union representation, and inadequate implementation of policies were discussed, along with innovative initiatives to empower workers at both grassroots and policy levels. The session underscored that achieving a fair, inclusive, and climate-resilient transition requires collaboration between government, development partners, trade unions, and civil society.