Labour rights

Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus Convicted in Bangladesh Labor Law Case

WhatsAppWhatsAppFacebookFacebookTwitterTwitterPinterestPinterestRedditRedditGmailGmailShareShare

Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who is widely known for his microfinance initiatives, has been convicted in a labor law case in Bangladesh.

He was fined 10,000 taka ($118) by a Dhaka court on Monday, January 2, 2024, for violating the country’s labor laws at Grameen Communications, a company he founded.

The case was filed by 11 former employees of Grameen Communications, who claimed that they were fired for trying to form a trade union. They accused Yunus of depriving them of their due benefits and rights, and demanded reinstatement and compensation.

Yunus, who did not appear in court, pleaded not guilty and said he would appeal the verdict. His lawyer said the case was politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his reputation and achievements. He also said the workers were not entitled to form a union as they were not permanent employees, but contractual ones.

Yunus, 83, is a renowned economist and social entrepreneur, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work with Grameen Bank, a microfinance institution that provides small loans to poor people, especially women, without collateral. He is widely regarded as the “father of microcredit” and a pioneer of social business.

However, he has faced a series of legal troubles and harassment from the Bangladeshi government, which has been hostile to him since he tried to enter politics in 2007.

Keep Reading

He was forced to resign from Grameen Bank in 2011, after the central bank said he had exceeded the retirement age. He has also been accused of tax evasion, money laundering, and violating foreign exchange regulations, among other charges.

Many of his supporters and admirers, both at home and abroad, have condemned the government’s actions and called for an end to the persecution of Yunus. In August 2023, more than 170 global figures, including former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, and U2 lead singer Bono, signed an open letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, urging her to stop the “continuous judicial harassment” of Yunus.

Hasina, however, dismissed the letter as a “foreign conspiracy” and accused Yunus of “begging” for international support. She also defended the legal cases against him as legitimate and independent. She has been critical of Yunus and his microfinance model, calling him a “bloodsucker of the poor” and accusing him of charging high interest rates and misusing donor funds.

About Right Sider

Right sider is a passionate writer who has traveled extensively around the world, learning about the history of all the regions and walking the paths of his characters.

Right Sider

Right sider is a passionate writer who has traveled extensively around the world, learning about the history of all the regions and walking the paths of his characters.

Recent Posts

Work-Life Balance the Japanese Way: What Is Yutori and Why You Need It

In today's frantic world, the Japanese philosophy of Yutori provides a refreshing alternative to the hustle mentality. Meaning "room to…

June 14, 2025

Taiwan Welcomes Filipinos with Extended Visa Free Entry Until 2026

An extension of Taiwan's visa-free travel programme for Philippine passport holders has been renewed for another year. This extension allows…

June 14, 2025

Judge Blocks Rubio’s Plan to Lay Off 2,000 State Department Employees

A federal judge in San Francisco has temporarily prevented Secretary of State Marco Rubio from laying off almost 2,000 U.S.-based…

June 14, 2025

eShram Card  for Unorganized Workers Full Guide: Who Can Apply, Required Documents and How to Check Balance

Launched on August 26, 2021 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment the eShram Card is the pioneering initiative of…

June 13, 2025

Unilever Under Fire: Ivory Coast Workers Accuse Unilever of Union Rights Violations

Employees at Unilever Côte d’Ivoire have alleged that the company severed its collective bargaining agreement with employees amid plans to…

June 13, 2025

Bulgaria Opens Doors to 70,000 Migrants Workers to Tackle Labour Shortage

During a parliamentary committee meeting, Bulgaria's social minister Borislav Gutsanov stated that between 50,000 and 70,000 migrants from foreign countries…

June 13, 2025