On 9 June 2026, JETI’s South Asia Forum convened its second meeting of the year, bringing together 69 brand representatives from 40 global brands for a timely discussion on the impacts of the ongoing energy crisis, shaped by wider geopolitical disruptions including the Middle East conflict, on JETIs members’ South Asian supply chains.
Vidiya Amrit Khan, Vice President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), and Kalpona Akhter, President of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF), shared reflections on the sector-wide challenges faced by manufacturers and workers from Bangladesh RMG’s context.
The discussion highlighted recent positive policy signals, including the reduction of taxes on solar equipment, as well as ongoing efforts to improve renewable energy feasibility, financing access and support for SMEs. At the same time, speakers noted that manufacturers continue to face rising operational pressures, while workers are experiencing increased risks linked to job insecurity, heat stress, reduced productivity and wider livelihood impacts.
The meeting reinforced the need for stronger shared responsibility across the supply chain. Key areas of focus included long-term sourcing commitments, even, one-year contracts; practical brand-supplier partnerships, focused on collectively ideating solutions; accessible finance; and, greater attention to worker rights and wellbeing, as Bangladesh’s RMG sector responds to the energy crisis and aims to scale its renewable energy transition.
The Joint Ethical Trading Initiatives’ (JETIs) South Asia Forum is a platform for Joint ETI member brands sourcing from South Asian countries, including Bangladesh. The Forum is jointly facilitated by the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), Etisk Handel Norge (ETN), Ethical Trading Initiative Bangladesh (ETI BD) and Ethical Trade Denmark. Through the Forum, the JETIs support dialogue on pertinent issues across global supply chains by bringing these discussions directly to member brands.
