Forty-one Representatives from government, industry, workers’ organisations, development partners and civil society gathered in Dhaka on 22 June 2026 for “Learning from Environmental and Social Interventions in Bangladesh’s Leather Sector: Building Future Pathways,” a learning dissemination funded by the Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) Programme.
The event was organised by Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Bangladesh in collaboration with the Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF) and Mondiaal FNV, aiming to share key learnings from 21 months of work to improve environmental and social conditions in the Savar Tannery Estate.
A key priority of the programme was building a more sustainable and compliant leather sector, grounded in the operational and policy realities of the tannery industry. The event served as an important step in bringing factory owners, trade unions, government bodies, and sector associations together to reflect on shared risks, responsibilities, and practical pathways for improvement. By aligning perspectives across these groups, the discussion aimed to support a more coordinated approach to environmental and social due diligence at sector level. Over the course of project, ETI Bangladesh and BLF worked across the Savar Tannery Estate to strengthen safety committees, anti-harassment committees, and environmental management practices. Building on this process, participants at the closing event reflected on a shared understanding of the sector's priority areas through a panel discussion, "Building a Sustainable Leather Sector: Policy, Practice, and Market Expectations." Panellists explored key elements of effluent treatment, solid waste management, and regulatory coordination, with a focus on challenges specific to the tannery sector. The discussion also provided space for participants to exchange experiences and consider the roles of government, business associations, and workers in driving responsible practices forward. These reflections are expected to directly inform the sector's next steps toward a more sustainable and coordinated leather industry in Bangladesh.
