Syed Atik: The government has appointed veteran labour leader and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) central leader Md. Salahuddin Sarkar as the Director General of the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation on a one-year contractual basis.

The appointment was confirmed through a government notification issued on Thursday by the Contract and Foreign Recruitment Wing of the Ministry of Public Administration. The notification, signed by Deputy Secretary Md. Golam Rabbani, states that Salahuddin Sarkar has been appointed with the status of a Grade-2 government official. His tenure will begin from the date he formally assumes office.

According to the terms of the appointment, he must resign from any other profession, business, or employment with government, semi-government, private organizations, or other institutions before taking charge of his new responsibilities.

Salahuddin Sarkar is widely known in labour and political circles as the Executive President of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, the labour wing affiliated with the BNP. Over the years, he has held several key organizational positions, including former Convener of Gazipur Metropolitan BNP and former President of Gazipur District Sramik Dal.

He has been actively involved in labour rights advocacy and organizational activities for decades, earning recognition as one of the party`s experienced labour organizers.

Salahuddin Sarkar also has experience in electoral politics. He contested the 11th Jatiya Sangsad election as a BNP candidate using the party`s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf.

More recently, ahead of the 13th parliamentary election, he drew attention after initially being denied the party nomination for the Gazipur-2 constituency. He announced his intention to contest as an independent candidate and successfully secured candidacy. However, on the final day for withdrawal of nominations, he withdrew from the race, a move that political observers viewed as being in line with broader party considerations.

Political sources familiar with the development say the appointment reflects recognition of Salahuddin Sarkar`s longstanding involvement in political movements and labour activism. During the previous Awami League administration, he was an active participant in various BNP-led political programmes and campaigns.

Sources also note that his years of organizational work, commitment to party decisions, and role in labour politics contributed to the government`s decision to entrust him with the leadership of the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation.

As Director General, Salahuddin Sarkar is expected to oversee the activities of the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation, an institution responsible for implementing welfare programmes for workers, including financial assistance, social protection initiatives, and other support services aimed at improving the well-being of the country`s workforce.

His appointment comes at a time when labour welfare, occupational safety, and workers` social security remain key issues in Bangladesh`s industrial and economic landscape. Observers say his extensive experience in labour organizations could play an important role in strengthening the foundation`s engagement with workers across different sectors.