Bangladesh Labour Party

Bangladesh Labour Party (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ লেবার পার্টি), commonly known as the Labour Party, is a political party in Bangladesh. The party was initially founded in 1974 under the leadership of Maulana Abdul Matin. Following the introduction of the one-party BAKSAL system in January 1975, all political parties were banned and the Labour Party's activities were suspended. After the restoration of multi-party democracy in Bangladesh, the party was re-established on 22 October 1977.

In September 2025, the Bangladesh Election Commission officially registered the Bangladesh Labour Party, allowing it to participate in national elections under the pineapple symbol.^[1]

The Bangladesh Labour Party was founded in 1974 by Maulana Abdul Matin. However, on 25 January 1975, all political parties in Bangladesh were banned following the establishment of the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL), resulting in the suspension of the party's activities.

After President Ziaur Rahman restored multi-party politics, the Labour Party was formally re-established on 22 October 1977. During this period, the party actively participated in alliance politics and became part of the Nationalist Front formed in 1978 alongside several other political parties supportive of Bangladeshi nationalism.

From 2007 onward, under the leadership of Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran, the Bangladesh Labour Party aligned itself with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as an ideologically like-minded political organisation and participated in joint political movements and alliances.^[2]

Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran contested the 2018 Bangladeshi general election from the Pirojpur-2 constituency as a candidate of the BNP-led opposition alliance.

In September 2025, the Bangladesh Election Commission officially registered the party, granting it eligibility to contest parliamentary elections.^[3]

The Bangladesh Labour Party has historically participated in opposition alliances. Since 2007, the party has remained associated with BNP-led coalitions, including the 18-party, 19-party, and later the 20-party alliance. After the dissolution of the 20-party alliance in 2022, the party joined the 12-party alliance and continued joint political activities with other opposition groups.

During the July 2024 nationwide quota reform movement demanding reforms to the quota system, the Bangladesh Labour Party expressed solidarity with the protesters. Party leaders and activists participated in demonstrations and rallies in Dhaka and other parts of the country in support of the movement. Several party activists were reportedly injured or arrested during clashes with law enforcement agencies amid the protests.^[4]

The Bangladesh Labour Party has maintained a long-standing political relationship with former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. Party leaders regularly participated in alliance meetings, dialogues, and joint protest programmes under her leadership.

Khaleda Zia attended several Labour Party-organised events, including Ramadan iftar programmes held between 2015 and 2017, reflecting continued cooperation between the two parties.^[5]

The organisational structure of the Bangladesh Labour Party includes several affiliated wings that operate nationwide.

• Bangladesh Student Mission
• Bangladesh Youth Mission
• Labour Party Lawyers Forum

The party's ideology is based on Bangladeshi nationalism, democratic governance, social justice, and the incorporation of religious and ethical values into public life.

• Politics of Bangladesh
• Bangladesh Nationalist Party
• List of political parties in Bangladesh