Shafiqur Rahman has renewed his proposal to reduce working hours for women, saying the state would shoulder part of the wage bill as hours are phased down. Speaking at the election manifesto unveiling of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at a hotel in Banani on Wednesday evening, he said employers would pay for the hours women work while the government covers the remainder during implementation.
The manifesto promises safe, dignified workplaces and fair pay, and outlines a rural women’s self-reliance program—“Amar Ayer Songsar”—to move beyond stipends by funding training, inputs and one-off start-up support for sewing, handicrafts, freelancing and agriculture. The party frames the pledge as part of a broader push to make women’s participation “secure, respectful and inclusive” in the labor market.
Rahman coupled the welfare plank with a call to build a “clean and ethical” Bangladesh after recent political upheavals, arguing the party’s platform rejects what he termed an “old political culture.” He paid tribute to past movements and reiterated that Jamaat’s program aims to be people-, business-, peace- and discipline-oriented.
The document lists 26 priority areas, including: uncompromising protection of sovereignty and national interest; an equitable, justice-based state; youth empowerment in governance; women’s safety and participation; stronger law and order against drugs, extortion and terrorism; a technology-driven “smart” society; large-scale jobs in tech, manufacturing, agriculture and industry; fee-free applications and merit-based hiring in public service; financial-sector reform to restore confidence and investment; proportional representation and a strengthened caretaker framework for credible elections; agri-tech support and farmer assistance; food safety and a “three zeros” environmental vision (no environmental degradation, no waste, zero flood risk).
Further planks include SME growth alongside industrialization and FDI; higher wages and decent work standards; diaspora rights including voting; universal civic rights with targeted support for marginalized groups; universal, modern healthcare with free treatment for the poor; education reform with a pathway to free education; price stability and basic-needs assurance; overhauls to regional and urban transport to cut intercity travel times; affordable housing for lower- and middle-income families; continuation of justice and reform measures to prevent any return of authoritarianism; universal social protection; and clean governance with institutional anti-corruption measures.
Presenting the platform as more than campaign rhetoric, Rahman said the blueprint is intended as a roadmap to a fairer, rules-based welfare state in Bangladesh.