Authors Bio
Samima Sultana is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Law at North Bengal International University, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. She is also an enrolled Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. She holds LL.B. and LL.M. degrees from the University of Rajshahi. Her research interests include Criminology and Victimology, Cybercrime, Digital Evidence, Artificial Intelligence and Criminal Justice, Human Rights, and Comparative Law. She is the author of two books, Law of Civil Procedure and Administrative and Election Laws, and has published research articles in various journals.
Abstract
Workplace mental health has become a critical issue worldwide, closely linked to employee well-being, organizational productivity, and labour rights. Despite growing awareness, legal frameworks addressing mental health in the workplace remain uneven and underdeveloped, especially in low and middle-income countries. This study presents a comparative analysis of legal protections and policy gaps related to workplace mental health in Bangladesh. This study employs a qualitative legal research methodology, with a primary focus on doctrinal analysis of statutory laws, international conventions, and relevant case law. This study also includes a comparative legal analysis of India, the United Kingdom, and Australia to identify key similarities and differences in their legal frameworks. It specifically examines how these countries address psychological safety and mental health in the workplace through legislation, institutional mechanisms, and judicial practices, with the aim of contrasting them with the current legal and policy landscape in Bangladesh. Key areas of focus include the employer’s duty of care, anti-discrimination laws, mental health accommodations, and the integration of international labour standards such as ILO Convention No. 155 and the WHO Mental Health Action Plan into national policies. The analysis also highlights broader issues such as stigma, policy implementation gaps, and lack of awareness in workplace environments. The study concludes with practical recommendations for legal reform and policy development in Bangladesh, advocating for a rights-based, inclusive approach that embeds mental health protection within core labour and occupational safety laws. It calls for a human rights-based and inclusive approach that ensures both legal accountability and psychological resilience in the modern workplace.
Keywords
Mental Health, Legal Protection, Discrimination, Labour Right, Workplace.
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