Article 10 Socialism and freedom from exploitation
Socialism and freedom from exploitation
Investors sometimes ask whether the socialism principle limits private business. In practice it does not stop private ownership, which Article 13 expressly recognises, but it supports laws on fair wages and against exploitation.
In force. The July National Charter, backed at the 12 February 2026 referendum, proposes adding or substituting principles such as equality, human dignity, social justice and religious freedom and harmony; as of October 2026 no amendment had been enacted, as reported.
Article 10 commits the State to a socialist economic system aimed at a just and egalitarian society, free from exploitation. It explains the socialism principle named in Article 8 and the Preamble. It does not define which industries must be state-owned.
Bangladesh now runs a mixed economy with large private industries, such as garments and telecoms, alongside state enterprises. Governments have privatised many state firms, and the courts have not treated this as a breach of Article 10.
The principle supports laws protecting workers from exploitation, such as minimum wage rules under labour law. A garment worker cannot sue under Article 10 itself, but it informs how such laws are written. Wage boards and labour courts apply those statutes in practice.
In plain English
How Article 10 works
Article 10 explains the socialism principle. It says a socialist economic system shall be established to achieve a just and egalitarian society, free from the exploitation of one person by another. In 1972 this reflected plans for state ownership of key industries. Since the 1980s, Bangladesh has moved to a largely market economy with a strong private sector, and courts have not treated Article 10 as a bar to privatisation or private investment. Because it is a principle of state policy, it guides policy and interpretation but cannot be enforced in court on its own.
In practice
Article 10 has been rewritten more than once. The Fifteenth Amendment 2011 restored the socialism principle in its present short form. It is not enforced directly by courts, and it has not prevented privatisation, foreign investment or export processing zones. After 2024 the July National Charter proposed new fundamental principles such as equality, human dignity and social justice, which may add to or replace the existing four. That remained a pending proposal as of October 2026, as reported.
The text
What Article 10 says
[10. A socialist economic system shall be established with a view to ensuring the attainment of a just and egalitarian society, free from the exploitation of man by man.]
English text as published on the official Laws of Bangladesh website. Where a court has changed the position, the status note above explains it.
History
Amendments
- Fifteenth Amendment 2011Substituted the former Article 10 with the present text on socialism and freedom from exploitation.
Connected provisions
Related articles
Questions
Article 10: frequently asked questions
What is Article 10 of the Constitution of Bangladesh?
Article 10 says a socialist economic system shall be established with a view to ensuring a just and egalitarian society, free from the exploitation of man by man. It explains the socialism principle in Article 8.
Does Article 10 prevent private business in Bangladesh?
No. Article 13 expressly recognises private ownership within limits set by law, and Article 10 is a non-enforceable principle. Bangladesh has privatised many state enterprises and welcomes foreign investment, and courts have not treated this as unconstitutional.
Sources
- bdlaws: The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Article 10
- The Daily Star: Groundwork laid for sweeping constitutional reforms (July National Charter supplement)
This guide explains the Constitution for general understanding. It is not legal advice. Constitutional reform proposals under discussion in 2026 are described as proposals until enacted.
Constitutional and writ practice
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