Speakers at a Youth Convention stressed the key role of trade unions in harnessing youth leadership for sustainable development in Bangladesh.
They also emphasised the critical importance of Bangladesh’s youth and young adults, aged 18-35, in driving the country’s development.
Youth represents a significant portion of the workforce, and this demographic is widely recognised by international development partners as a promising demographic dividend for the nation.
“However, unlocking this potential requires effective leadership and strategic initiatives,” they opined.
The convention was jointly organised by the Youth Trade Union Network and the Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies (BILS) at a local hotel in the port city today (28 November).
The convention was inaugurated by renowned labor leader AM Nazim Uddin. Chaired by Advocate Iqbal Hosen, organiser of the Youth Trade Union Network, and moderated by Fazlul Kabir Mintu, coordinator of BILS, the convention featured Muhammad Shahin Chowdhury, professor of the Chattogram University Law Department, as the chief guest. Kazi Nazmul Huda, professor of Chattogram BGMEA University of Technology, delivered a keynote presentation titled “Sustainable Trade Union Movement: New Organizing Strategy.”
Leaders from various trade unions also addressed the convention.
The convention was also addressed by Youth Trade Union leaders SM Jamal Uddin, Iftikhar Kamal Khan, Abu Ahmed Miah, Nasrin Akter, and Jahed Uddin Shahin, among others.
Professor Muhammad Shahin Chowdhury, in his speech, emphasised the pivotal role of youth trade union organisers in channeling the energy and vision of the younger generation toward the country’s industrial and social progress. He stressed that the global outlook, creativity, and revolutionary mindset of young people could guide the trade union movement in Bangladesh in the right direction.
Professor Shahin highlighted the Chattogram Youth Trade Union Network as an exemplary initiative. Praising its innovative approach and leadership, he described the network as a promising case study for youth-based trade union activities. He commended the leaders of the network for their ability to foster trust and establish a new model for inclusive and effective trade unionism.
He urged trade union leaders to organise training and orientation programs to develop awareness among workers regarding their rights and how to realise them.
Professor Kazi Nazmul Huda added, “There is no substitute for a sustainable, knowledge-based, and information-driven industrial management system aimed at achieving social justice. The Chattogram Youth Trade Union Network has the potential to play a transformative role in this regard.”
Participants underscored the importance of utilising the vast youth workforce to build a resilient industrial sector aligned with the principles of social equity and sustainable development. They reiterated the need for strong leadership and collaborative efforts to ensure that the nation’s demographic dividend translates into long-term prosperity.
For Bangladesh, harnessing the energy and ingenuity of its youth through initiatives like the Chattogram Youth Trade Union Network could be a significant step toward achieving its development goals.
