Bangladesh leads democratisation process of ILO

Bangladesh led 74 countries in the discussion on the democratization process of the organization at the 356th session of the Governing Body of the International Labor Organization (ILO). This information was given in a press release of the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh in Geneva on March 26.

In the discussion, the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh, as the spokesperson of 74 countries from South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, raised the demand for democratization of the ILO, the United Nations and other international organizations.

The Permanent Mission of Bangladesh, as the leader of 74 countries, raised a strong demand for the abolition of the undemo cratic 10 permanent memberships of the Governing Body of the century-old organization ILO and the initiation of a legal process for the democratic election of all members. Earlier, in March 2025, the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh had raised various legal issues of this demand and demanded that the discussion be included in the agenda for its reform, which was unanimously accepted.

The notice said that at the current session of the Governing Body, the Bangladesh Permanent Mission raised the demand to start a process to change the list of countries that have been enjoying various rights, including voting rights, in the organization for the past 43 years without being elected as permanent members. In view of Bangladesh's demand, 74 out of 187 ILO countries supported Bangladesh's demand in Thursday's session. After long discussions, this proposal of Bangladesh was accepted with the consent of the employers' side, the workers' side and all governments. Counselor Fazle Lohani spoke on behalf of the Permanent Mission as the spokesperson of the 74 countries.