Max Tunon, Country Director of the ILO Country Office for Bangladesh, has commended the workers’ welfare facilities and programmes implemented in Dhaka Export Processing Zone (Dhaka EPZ), expressing his optimism that the longstanding partnership between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) will continue to grow even stronger in the years ahead, a press release said.

Tunon made these remarks after visiting Dhaka EPZ on 15 July 2026. Sharing his impressions, he commended BEPZA’s initiatives to ensure the well-being of workers and employees working in the EPZ.

During the visit, Max Tunon was accompanied by Saad Gilani, Programme Manager of the ILO Social Protection Project, and Tanjilut Tasnuba, Senior Programme Manager of the ILO Country Office for Bangladesh. At Dhaka EPZ, the delegation was welcomed by Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain, ndc, afwc, psc, G, MPhil, Executive Chairman of BEPZA. 

The delegation received a comprehensive presentation from Md. Shariful Islam, Executive Director of Dhaka EPZ, on the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Act, 2019, the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Rules, 2022, occupational safety and health, compliance mechanisms, workers’ rights, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and various welfare programmes. During the interactive discussion that followed, Md. Khorshid Alam, Executive Director (Enterprise Services) of BEPZA, elaborated on BEPZA’s labour-friendly policies, regulatory framework and compliance practices.

The delegation held an open and interactive discussion with representatives of Workers’ Welfare Associations (WWAs), exchanging views on workers’ rights, workplace conditions, grievance handling, social dialogue and the role of WWAs in promoting harmonious industrial relations.

The discussion also focused on the role and responsibilities of workers’ representatives, challenges, common workplace grievances and the existing grievance resolution mechanisms. The workers’ representatives shared their experiences and highlighted the worker-friendly environment, welfare facilities and participatory industrial relations practiced in the enterprises.

To commemorate the visit, Max Tunon, together with representatives of Workers’ Welfare Associations (WWAs), planted an olive sapling at the Dhaka EPZ Zone Office premises.

The delegation also visited YKK Bangladesh PTE. LTD. and Shanta Industries Limited, where they toured the production facilities, inspected the daycare centre and interacted directly with management, workers and workers’ representatives to observe workplace practices, workers’ welfare initiatives and compliance standards.