Abdullah Al Faruque’s book, Globalization and Labour Rights: Lessons from the Experiences of Bangladesh, examines the complex intersection of global economic forces, legal frameworks, and the rights of workers. The author argues that globalization is not merely an economic phenomenon but a matter of power and law, where the boundaries of the nation-state and the workplace have become increasingly porous.

Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry provides the clearest window into this dilemma. The sector has become one of the country’s defining links with the global economy, creating employment on a vast scale and transforming the lives of millions, particularly women. But its success has also exposed the fault lines of global production: low wages, long hours, unsafe workplaces and restrictions on labour rights.

The book explores how the traditional model of industrial relations—involving the state, employer, and union—has been challenged by multinational corporations and transnational supply chains. Dr. Faruque analyzes various aspects of the labor landscape, including export processing zones, collective bargaining, minimum wages, and the impact of the Rana Plaza disaster. The author highlights that while Bangladesh has ratified most core ILO conventions, a significant gap remains between legal recognition and effective enforcement. Furthermore, the book addresses the challenges posed by the informal economy and the emerging gig economy, where traditional employment protections are often absent. By discussing human rights due diligence and international regulatory expectations, the work emphasizes that labor rights must be supported by robust institutions to ensure that the benefits of globalization are not distributed disproportionately to the most vulnerable.

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