Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged mill and factory owners to prioritize the welfare of laborers by reducing their luxuries. Addressing a discussion at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, she emphasized that laborers enable owners to lead lavish lives through their hard work.

She cautioned laborers against actions that could harm the factories providing them with employment opportunities. Sheikh Hasina noted that some individuals incite workers to protest unnecessarily, which ultimately damages both the workers’ interests and the country’s economy.

Highlighting the symbiotic relationship between owners and laborers, she stressed the need for increased industrial production for Bangladesh’s overall development. Sheikh Hasina encouraged both parties to approach her directly to resolve any issues, emphasizing her commitment to addressing their concerns.

She distributed financial assistance to labor families and attended a cultural program, accompanied by various dignitaries including State Minister for Labour and Employment, Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, and representatives from international organizations.

Sheikh Hasina proudly described her government as pro-labor, citing initiatives such as wage increases, workplace safety measures, childcare facilities, and maternity leave provisions. She highlighted the steady increase in workers’ salaries under her government’s tenure, affirming her party’s dedication to labor welfare.

Asserting Bangladesh’s commitment to international labor standards, she warned against any exploitation of workers and pledged to hold accountable those responsible for withholding fair wages.

The Prime Minister also outlined government efforts to boost education and employment opportunities, including free textbooks and vocational training programs. She mentioned the Karmasangsthan Bank, established to provide loans to youth entrepreneurs without collateral.

In summary, Sheikh Hasina’s government prioritizes labor welfare, fosters a conducive environment for economic growth, and remains vigilant against any exploitation of workers.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a cautionary notice indicating that the current heatwave is anticipated to endure for 72 consecutive hours commencing Thursday morning.

The BMD attributes the prolonged discomfort to heightened moisture incursion, amplifying the oppressive conditions.

This advisory comes subsequent to prior warnings released on April 19th and April 22nd, underscoring the BMD’s ongoing vigilance and management of the adverse weather dynamics impacting the area.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (25 April) called for speaking out against all forms of aggression and atrocities, and say ‘no’ to wars.

“We must speak out against all forms of aggression and atrocities, and say ‘no’ to wars,” she said adding that Bangladesh supports the UN Secretary General’s ‘New Agenda for Peace.

The prime minister was addressing the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) held at the ESCAP Hall (2nd floor), United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) here.

She arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday on a six-day official visit to Thailand.

The PM said the pre-condition for sustainable development is lasting peace and security.

“We must settle regional disputes and tension through dialogue. Our mutual respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain paramount,” she said.

Hasina called upon the Asia-Pacific region, especially ASEAN, to redouble their efforts to end Rohingya crisis as all efforts at regional connectivity, integration, and prosperity will continue to be marked by a missing puzzle without it.

“The origin of their crisis has been in Myanmar, and its solution also lies in Myanmar,” she declared.

“As long as that solution remains out of reach, all our efforts at regional connectivity, integration, and prosperity will continue to be marked by a missing puzzle. Let us redouble our efforts to put that puzzle back in place,” she said.

She said that in August 2017, when thousands of Rohingya men, women, and children from Myanmar fled to Bangladesh, Bangladesh offered them temporary shelter.

“With an ever growing population, this has now become one of the largest humanitarian situations in the world,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said that In the backdrop of ongoing armed conflicts in Myanmar, the Rohingya repatriation process is also getting delayed.

“This is creating serious security risks within and beyond our territories,” she said.

She called upon the Asia-Pacific region, especially ASEAN, to play a proactive role in resolving the volatile situation in Myanmar.

“We must ensure that the Rohingya can go back home in safety and dignity at the earliest possible,” she said.

The prime minister said that the Asia-Pacific region must stand united against its common enemies of poverty and hunger.

She said Bangladesh has reduced poverty from 41.51 percent to 18.7 percent between 2006 and 2022.

It also reduced extreme poverty from 25.1 to 5.6 percent during the same period.

“We remain confident about eradicating extreme poverty by 2030,” she said.

She mentioned that Bangladesh has made notable progress on food security, with focused interventions on maternal and child nutrition.

“Our current priority is to address inequalities through income distribution, asset ownership, and social protection,” she said.

The prime minister said that Asia-Pacific region must put up a united front in tackling the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and transboundary pollution.

“We need to push for ambitious climate financing goals beyond 2025 at COP-29. We need to cooperate on cross-border water management and air quality improvement. We must all prepare for growing extreme weather events,” she said.

In this connection, she suggested looking into Bangladesh’s experience in disaster risk reduction.

“We appreciate UN-ESCAP’s support in improving our early warning capabilities,” she added.

Briefly describing various development programmes and achievements of her govebrment, the prime minister said that much of the development gains are affected by climate impacts.

“As a low-lying delta, Bangladesh has no option but to invest heavily in climate resilience,” she said.

She mentioned that Bangladesh is already recognised as a global leader in climate adaptation.

“We are happy to share our traditional and innovative solutions with other vulnerable countries,” she said.

She said that Bangladesh has urged developed and emerging economies in the region to raise their time-bound emission reduction targets.

“For economies in transition, it is important to have a just energy transition.”

In Bangladesh, she said, “we are working on long-term energy security with a sound mix of clean and renewable energy.”

“We shall continue to do our part in pursuing a circular and low-carbon economic growth pathway.”

She underscored the need for increased and easy access to financing and technology from both the public and private sectors.

“I invite UN-ESCAP to help build the capacity of climate-vulnerable countries to mobilise adequate international climate financing.”

PM Hasina said that Bangladesh now provides critical links to the Trans-Asian Highway and Railway networks.

“Our physical and digital infrastructures are being developed to foster regional trade and connectivity.”

She said Bangladesh offers access to the Bay of Bengal for land-locked territories in its neighbourhood.

“We stand ready to work together with all regional partners through mutual understanding and cooperation,” said the prime minister.