Termination, Retrenchment and Severance under Section 26

The primary legislation governing employment separation in Bangladesh is the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 (as amended in 2013 and 2018) , supplemented by the Bangladesh Labour Rules 2015 . Section 26 provides the employer with the 'Right of Termination' without assigning a specific cause, provided statutory notice or…

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At a glance

Executive summary

The primary legislation governing employment separation in Bangladesh is the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 (as amended in 2013 and 2018) , supplemented by the Bangladesh Labour Rules 2015 . Section 26 provides the employer with the 'Right of Termination' without assigning a specific cause, provided statutory notice or…

Practice area corporate rjsc
Reading time About 3 min
Latest date Review pending

Legal Framework for Employment Separation

The primary legislation governing employment separation in Bangladesh is the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 (as amended in 2013 and 2018), supplemented by the Bangladesh Labour Rules 2015. Section 26 provides the employer with the 'Right of Termination' without assigning a specific cause, provided statutory notice or pay-in-lieu is provided.

Statutory Entitlements by Separation Type

Separation TypeStatutory ProvisionNotice Period / PayCompensation / Gratuity
Termination (Section 26)Section 26(1)120 Days (Monthly Rated)30 days' wages for every year of service
RetrenchmentSection 2030 Days30 days' wages for every year of service
Discharge (Health)Section 22N/A30 days' wages for every year of service
Dismissal (Misconduct)Section 23NoneNone (except for specific cases)

The Section 26 Termination Workflow

Issuance of NoticeNotice Period/PayDues CalculationFinal SettlementStatutory Termination Process (Section 26)

Procedural Requirements for Retrenchment (Section 20)

Retrenchment is defined as the termination of services on the ground of redundancy. Under Section 20 of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006, the following conditions must be met:

  1. Notice: One month's notice in writing or wages in lieu of notice.
  2. Notification: A copy of the notice must be sent to the Chief Inspector or an officer authorized by him.
  3. Compensation: Payment of compensation equivalent to 30 days' wages for every completed year of service or gratuity, whichever is higher.
  4. Principle of Seniority: Unless otherwise agreed, the employer must retrench the worker who was the last person to be employed in that category ('Last Come, First Go' principle as per Section 20(2)).

Calculation of Final Settlement

Under Section 30, all amounts due to a worker must be paid within 30 working days from the date of cessation of employment. This includes:

  • Arrear wages and overtime.
  • Payment for unavailed annual leave (Section 117).
  • Compensation for termination (Section 26) or Retrenchment (Section 20).
  • Gratuity (if applicable under Section 2(10)).
  • Provident Fund benefits (if applicable).

Consult Barrister Liton Sarkar

For complex retrenchment strategies or labor court litigation, ensure your compliance aligns with the latest 2018 amendments.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the notice period for terminating a permanent monthly-rated worker under Section 26?

According to Section 26(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006, the employer must provide 120 days' notice for a permanent monthly-rated worker. Alternatively, the employer may pay wages in lieu of the notice period.

How is compensation calculated for retrenchment under Section 20?

Under Section 20(c) of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006, a retrenched worker with at least one year of continuous service is entitled to 30 days' wages for every completed year of service, or gratuity, whichever is higher.

Can an employer terminate a worker without notice for misconduct?

Yes, under Section 23(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006, a worker may be dismissed without notice or wages in lieu of notice if found guilty of misconduct under Section 23(4), following a formal domestic inquiry.

◆ Related Statutory Guides & Practice Insights

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      <a href="/en/minimum-wage-regulations-and-wage-board-gazette-compliance-in-bangladesh-rmg-and-commercial-sectors/" style="color:#C5A059; font-weight:600; text-decoration:none; font-size:14px; display:inline-block; transition:color 0.2s;">&bull; Minimum Wage Regulations and Wage Board Gazette Compliance in Bangladesh RMG and Commercial Sectors</a>
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Official Regulatory Authorities, Gazettes & Forms

Governing Primary Statutes: Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 (Amended), Bangladesh Labour Rules 2015, EPZ Labour Act 2019

<div style="margin-bottom:12px; padding-bottom:12px; border-bottom:1px solid #1E293B;">
  <a href="https://dife.gov.bd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#C5A059; font-weight:600; font-size:14px; text-decoration:underline;">Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) &nearr;</a>
  <p style="color:#94A3B8; font-size:12px; margin:4px 0 0 0; line-height:1.4;">Factory Licensing, Safety Compliance & Labour Law Enforcement</p>
</div>

<div style="margin-bottom:12px; padding-bottom:12px; border-bottom:1px solid #1E293B;">
  <a href="https://bida.gov.bd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#C5A059; font-weight:600; font-size:14px; text-decoration:underline;">BIDA Foreign Work Permit Portal &nearr;</a>
  <p style="color:#94A3B8; font-size:12px; margin:4px 0 0 0; line-height:1.4;">Expatriate Visa Recommendation & Security Clearance Directives</p>
</div>

<div style="margin-bottom:12px; padding-bottom:12px; border-bottom:1px solid #1E293B;">
  <a href="https://mole.gov.bd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#C5A059; font-weight:600; font-size:14px; text-decoration:underline;">Ministry of Labour and Employment &nearr;</a>
  <p style="color:#94A3B8; font-size:12px; margin:4px 0 0 0; line-height:1.4;">National Minimum Wage Gazette & Tripartite Consultative Directives</p>
</div>
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