The โ€œ๐—•๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ด๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ต ๐—ช๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ธ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€โ€™ ๐—–๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—–๐—ข๐—ฃ๐Ÿฏ๐Ÿญ: ๐—–๐—ฎ๐—น๐—น๐˜€ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ช๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ธ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฝ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป, ๐—ฅ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ต๐˜๐˜€ ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—™๐—ฎ๐—ถ๐—ฟ ๐—–๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜€๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ปโ€ was presented on 14 October 2026 by the National Alliance for Just Transition โ€“ Bangladesh (NAJTBD), in collaboration with Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF) and Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), at a national multi-stakeholder dialogue in Dhaka. The Charter calls for workersโ€™ priorities to be reflected in climate policies and international negotiations ahead of COP31.

The dialogue was attended by representatives of government, workersโ€™ organisations, civil society, and other stakeholders. Addressing the event as the chief guest, Shaikh Faridul Islam, MP, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, described the Charter as timely and comprehensive and assured that the Ministry would make efforts to incorporate relevant demands into national and local climate policies and Bangladeshโ€™s COP31 position.

Advancing a Worker-Centred Just Transition

The dialogue focused on the Bangladesh Workersโ€™ Charter for COP31, which outlines 23 demands across eight negotiation tracks. It highlights the urgent need to protect workersโ€™ livelihoods, strengthen labour rights, ensure fair compensation for climate-related loss and damage, and secure meaningful worker participation in climate decision-making.

With approximately 84% of Bangladeshโ€™s workforce engaged in informal employment, workersโ€”particularly women and those living in climate-vulnerable communitiesโ€”face increasing risks from extreme heat, climate-induced displacement, industrial decarbonisation, and technological change. The Charter calls for a rights-based Just Transition that protects workers while preparing them for a greener and more sustainable economy.

Key Discussions

    • Ensuring meaningful representation of workers, including women workers, in Bangladeshโ€™s official COP31 delegation

    • Protecting workersโ€™ livelihoods, income, and employment through a rights-based Just Transition

    • Securing adequate, grant-based climate finance and fair compensation for climate-related loss and damage

    • Strengthening occupational safety, social protection, and support for workers affected by extreme heat and other climate impacts

    • Investing in skills development and funded reskilling programmes to prepare workers for green jobs and technological transformation

    • Integrating workersโ€™ priorities into national and local climate policies and Bangladeshโ€™s COP31 negotiating position

    The Charter was developed through eight consultations, with contributions from 43 organisations, reflecting a collective effort to ensure that workersโ€™ voices are represented in climate policy and international negotiations.

    Through its collaboration with the National Alliance for Just Transition โ€“ Bangladesh and Manusher Jonno Foundation, BLF continues to advocate for a worker-centred approach to climate action. As Bangladesh prepares for COP31, BLF calls for a Just Transition that leaves no worker behindโ€”one that recognises workers not merely as victims of climate change, but as essential stakeholders in shaping climate solutions, protecting livelihoods, and building a fairer, greener economy.