Frustration is mounting among members of Bangladesh’s reform commissions, who say that more than a year after the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government assumed office, little progress has been made in implementing reforms.

At an event hosted by the Citizens’ Platform for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Bangladesh, speakers lamented that the commissions’ work has been reduced to drafting proposals without meaningful execution. The gathering also marked the launch of a new initiative, Bangladesh Reform Watch.

Tofail Ahmed, chairman of the Local Government Reform Commission, said reforms in local government, media, health, and women’s issues remain in the weakest state. “Those who worked hard in the hope of reforms are now disheartened because nothing has moved beyond report writing,” he told The Daily Star.

Labour Reform Commission Chairman Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed echoed similar disappointment, citing the lack of progress on minimum wages and workers’ rights.

The Women’s Affairs Reform Commission raised particular concern, noting that women’s voices are being sidelined despite a surge in gender-based violence. Commission member Nirupa Dewan said, “Over the past year, women’s rights have not been established, nor has violence against women declined. In some areas, the situation has worsened.”

Prominent economist Rehman Sobhan warned that failure to complete reforms could threaten the legitimacy of upcoming elections. Meanwhile, Debapriya Bhattacharya of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) criticised the absence of representation from marginalised groups in the reform process.

Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, added that children’s issues, including child labour and street children, were entirely excluded from the reform agenda, undermining Bangladesh’s progress toward its SDG targets.

Observers say the Yunus government risks losing credibility if reforms continue to stagnate amid growing political uncertainty.