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industrial raw materials from places where forced labour is used.

The proposal was announced on Tuesday by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) following Section 301 investigations launched earlier this year into forced labour enforcement among major US trading partners.

“We examined the issue from the American perspective to understand how they view Bangladesh’s labour practices.”

Their assessments have repeatedly highlighted specific concerns over the years, including forced labour in brick kilns, the lack of adequate support and shelter for victims, and weaknesses in labour rights protection, he said.

While geopolitical and political considerations may influence trade decisions, Bangladesh also needs to acknowledge and address genuine labour rights concerns that continue to appear in US government assessments.

“If we had demonstrated stronger progress on these issues, it would have been easier to argue that the matter was driven solely by political considerations.”

He urged the government to focus on areas within its control, including implementing recommendations on labour rights reforms and fulfilling commitments outlined in its policy agenda.

Although no final decision has been made, visible progress on labour rights would strengthen Bangladesh’s position in negotiations.

He called for further discussions with the US to identify practical solutions and explore areas where Washington could support improvements in labour rights.

On the proposed new pay scale for government employees, Mustafizur said there were valid arguments for a revision given that the last pay scale was introduced in 2015 and inflation had eroded public servants’ purchasing power.

At the same time, higher salaries should be accompanied by stronger accountability, improved service delivery and greater institutional efficiency, he said.

Responding to a question on investment, Rahman said political uncertainty had eased following the formation of an elected government, but investors have yet to regain full confidence.

“Businesses appear to be waiting for clearer signals, particularly from the upcoming budget and the government’s reform agenda.”

Indicators such as sluggish credit growth and weak imports of capital machinery suggest that private investment remains subdued, he said.

“The government has taken some positive steps, including refinancing initiatives, but private-sector confidence remains weak. Restoring that confidence is crucial for growth, jobs and easing inflation.”

Investors would be closely watching the upcoming budget for policy direction and reform commitments before making major investment decisions.