On 3 November 2026, the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Bangladesh held a consultation meeting with trade union leaders from various federations based in Chattogram. The meeting was chaired by A.M. Nazim Uddin, Secretary of Bangladesh Jatiyo Sromik Dal (BJSD) and Robiul Hoque Shimul, General Secretary of Bangladesh Labour Federation (BLF) who led the discussion. Additionally, Abil Bin Amin, Executive Director of ETI Bangladesh, shared ETI’s perspectives and how the organisation can support workers through the ongoing changes in the industry.
The discussion explored regional challenges faced by workers amid ongoing and emerging industrial changes, particularly renewable energy transition, decarbonisation and just transition, while identifying local priorities and opportunities for collective action.
As one of Bangladesh's major industrial and export hubs, Chattogram plays a significant role in the country's economy, with workers across the industry facing evolving challenges. This engagement created an opportunity to extend ETI Bangladesh's work in the region and strengthen collective efforts towards ensuring a smooth, inclusive and just industrial transition, with workers actively involved in shaping the process.
The discussion also covered ETI's mission, vision, nine-point Base Code and commitments to protecting workers' rights and human rights. Participants explored how ETI Bangladesh could leverage its experience, networks and influence to support industrial transition in Chattogram, ensuring that workers are recognised and meaningfully engaged as key stakeholders in the process.
Md. Hasan Ali, Convenor of the Worker-led Climate Action Network (Worker CAN), highlighted the network's ongoing advocacy initiatives to promote workers' rights amid changes in the industry, particularly its efforts towards renewable energy transition, industrial decarbonisation and just transition. He shared how Worker CAN is bringing trade unions and workers together to strengthen collective advocacy and ensure workers' voices are reflected in the industry decision making. Hasan Ali further emphasised the importance of bringing federations together through a common platform, strengthening grassroots participation, promoting the leadership of young people and women, and improving coordination between Chattogram and Dhaka for more effective joint advocacy (Worker CAN Facebook Page)
During the discussion, federation leaders emphasised the need for stronger cooperation among trade unions and proposed several recommendations, including strengthening grassroots trade unions, providing capacity-building, leadership and advocacy training for union representatives, particular youth and women; improving workplace safety, and addressing workers' wages and benefits. They further called for practical, coordinated actions that respond to the specific needs and challenges of workers in Chattogram while also extending attention to other sectors like fisheries, ship breaking, light engineering etc.
