A discussion meeting on the universal pension scheme was held with members and stakeholders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). The meeting was held around 11 a.m. Saturday at the Nurul Quader Auditorium of the BGMEA Complex in the capital. Speakers urged that garment sector workers be brought under the pension scheme as quickly as possible, saying it would play a unique role in workers’ long-term security.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan attended as chief guest. Sheikh Kamrul Hasan, a member of the National Pension Authority under the Finance Ministry’s Finance Division, along with BGMEA senior vice president Enamul Haque Khan and vice president Md. Rezwan Selim, spoke as special guests. Dr. Md. Suratuzzaman, executive chairman of the National Pension Authority, chaired the event.
In his welcome remarks, Sheikh Kamrul Hasan said that, given the country’s social and economic circumstances, there had previously been no financial security arrangement for old age. Following the model of developed countries, the government has launched the universal pension scheme to ensure financial and social security in old age.
Presenting the keynote paper, Dr. Md. Suratuzzaman said the government launched the universal pension system to secure citizens’ future financial security, calling it a major pillar of financial protection for citizens in old age. Funds deposited in the scheme will be returned to subscribers in due time, ensuring a better standard of living after age 60. He said the government has already decided to invest about $100 million, financed by the ADB, to make the pension scheme’s operations more dynamic and robust. He added that under the latest amendment to the Bangladesh Labour Act 2026, all industrial establishments with more than 100 workers are required to bring their workers under the universal pension scheme.
Calling on BGMEA to take a leading role in bringing garment-sector entrepreneurs and workers into the scheme, he said efforts should be made to bring at least one member from every family under the universal pension. He said the current government, recognizing the importance of the universal pension scheme, pledged in its 2026 election manifesto to build a pension fund, and is now working to implement it.
In his remarks as chief guest, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the current government is fully committed to ensuring the overall welfare and social and financial security of the people, and that all garment-sector workers must be brought under the universal pension scheme as quickly as possible — a step that would fulfill the government’s election pledge and play a historic role in building a discrimination-free Bangladesh. He also suggested that, to make the scheme more popular and attractive among workers, special government incentives could be offered for the first two years, and the pension eligibility age for garment workers could be set at 55 instead of 60. He said such reforms would make workers more willing to join the scheme voluntarily.
In his remarks as special guest, BGMEA senior vice president Enamul Haque Khan said bringing about 5 million ready-made garment workers under the universal pension scheme, and maintaining its ongoing management afterward, would be somewhat challenging. Still, he said, the government’s initiative to launch the scheme is timely, groundbreaking and commendable despite the challenges.
In his remarks as special guest, BGMEA vice president Md. Rezwan Selim said the universal pension scheme’s attractive rate of return would play a unique role in ensuring workers’ long-term security, and that BGMEA would work on a concrete plan to bring all garment-sector workers under this groundbreaking scheme.
When participants raised various questions and concerns about the scheme, the National Pension Authority’s executive chairman reassured them with detailed explanations. Speakers said the government’s program aims to bring people from all walks of life under an organized social security framework, and that the participation of large employment-generating sectors like the garment industry carries special importance in this effort.
The event was attended by BGMEA members, garment industry owners, company officials and worker representatives.