Article 34 Prohibition of forced labour
Prohibition of forced labour
It underpins protections against bonded labour and trafficking, and matters to exporters whose buyers audit supply chains for forced labour.
A worker is told they cannot leave a workplace until a debt is paid, and is threatened if they try. This kind of compulsion is forced labour, which Article 34(1) prohibits in all its forms.
Article 34 requires forced labour to be punishable by law. Police and prosecutors can act under laws on unlawful compulsory labour and human trafficking against those who force people to work. Victims can report the abuse to the police or to labour inspectors.
Prisoners serving lawful sentences can be required to work, and a law can require compulsory service for public purposes. Outside those two exceptions, nobody can lawfully force another person to work. Both exceptions must be clearly provided for by law.
In plain English
How Article 34 works
Article 34 prohibits all forms of forced labour, meaning work that a person is compelled to do against their will, for example through threats, violence or debt. Any breach is an offence that must be punishable under law. There are two exceptions. First, people serving a lawful sentence for a criminal offence can be required to work, such as prison labour. Second, a law can require compulsory labour for public purposes, such as emergency service in a disaster. Outside these exceptions, no employer, official or individual may force someone to work. The article supports laws against human trafficking, bonded labour and exploitative work.
In practice
Article 34 is given effect through the Penal Code offence of unlawful compulsory labour, the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012 and protections in the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006. It matters to workers recruited for overseas employment, who may be vulnerable to debt bondage, and to export industries such as garments, where international buyers check supply chains for forced labour. Courts have rarely needed to interpret the article directly, because most cases are prosecuted under the ordinary criminal and labour laws. The exception for compulsory labour required by law for public purposes is narrow and must be expressly provided by statute.
The text
What Article 34 says
34. (1) All forms of forced labour are prohibited and any contravention of this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.
(2) Nothing in this article shall apply to compulsory labour– (a) by persons undergoing lawful punishment for a criminal offence; or (b) required by any law for public purposes.
English text as published on the official Laws of Bangladesh website. The Bangla text is authoritative (Article 153). Where a court has changed the position, the status note above explains it.
Connected provisions
Related articles
Questions
Article 34: frequently asked questions
What is Article 34 of the Constitution of Bangladesh?
Article 34 prohibits all forms of forced labour and makes any contravention an offence punishable by law. It allows only two exceptions: labour by persons undergoing lawful punishment, and compulsory labour required by law for public purposes.
Is prison labour allowed in Bangladesh?
Yes. Article 34(2)(a) expressly permits compulsory labour by persons undergoing lawful punishment for a criminal offence. Prisoners serving sentences can therefore be required to work in accordance with prison rules.
Sources
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
Need to rely on Article 34?
Our lawyers advise on writ petitions, fundamental rights and public law before the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
