The BGMEA has proposed special incentives and a lower pension age to encourage garment workers to join the Universal Pension Scheme (UPS).
The proposal came at a discussion on the scheme with garment manufacturers and apparel sector stakeholders at the BGMEA Complex in Dhaka on Saturday.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said all apparel workers should be brought under the pension scheme as soon as possible. He suggested providing government incentives during the first two years and reducing the pension age for garment workers from 60 to 55.
“If these reforms are implemented, workers will be more interested in joining the scheme voluntarily,” he said.
National Pension Authority (NPA) Executive Chairman Dr Md Suratujjaman, who chaired the meeting, said the government introduced the Universal Pension Scheme to provide financial and social security to people in old age.
He said citizens aged 18 to 50 can contribute to the scheme through banks and receive their accumulated contributions as pension after turning 60.
If a subscriber dies before reaching 60, the nominee will receive the deposited amount along with profits, he said. Subscribers facing financial difficulties will also be able to increase or reduce their contributions according to their circumstances.
Dr Suratujjaman said the government has decided to invest around $100 million with financing from the Asian Development Bank to strengthen and expand the pension scheme.
He also said the Bangladesh Labour Act 2026 now requires workers at industrial establishments employing more than 100 people to be brought under the Universal Pension Scheme.
He urged eligible industrial establishments to open pension accounts for their employees and called on BGMEA to take the lead in bringing apparel entrepreneurs and workers under the scheme.
He also proposed efforts to bring at least one member of every family under the universal pension system.
BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan said bringing around five million ready-made garment workers under the scheme and ensuring its long-term management would be challenging.
Despite the challenge, he described the government initiative as timely, groundbreaking and commendable.
BGMEA Vice President Md Rejwan Selim said the attractive return offered by the scheme could provide long-term financial protection for garment workers. He said BGMEA would work on a specific plan to bring all apparel workers under the scheme.
The meeting was organised at the Nurul Quader Auditorium of the BGMEA Complex. NPA member Sheikh Kamrul Hasan, BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan and Vice President Md Rejwan Selim also spoke at the event.
Participants raised questions and concerns about the scheme, which the NPA executive chairman addressed.
The speakers said participation by the apparel sector would be particularly important in expanding the government’s social security programme because of the sector’s large workforce.
BGMEA members, garment factory owners, officials, workers’ representatives and other stakeholders attended the meeting.
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