Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Bangladesh organised a consultation meeting with the Labour Reform Commission (LRC), established by the interim government of Bangladesh. The meeting was held at the Department of Labour Headquarters on 6 February 2025. Chaired by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Labour Reform Commission, the event brought together 23 representatives from the LRC, and ready-made garment (RMG) brands. Representatives from ETI’s secretariat member brand headquarters also participated in the discussion online.
The meeting aimed to discuss global RMG supply chain perspective to support reform agenda.
The LRC has prioritised eight thematic areas for reform, (1) employment rights, opportunities, stability, and inclusion (2) wage and just share (3) safe and healthy workplace (4) social security and welfare (5) right to form association, participation, representation and collective bargaining (6) industrial grievance and dispute resolution, and justice (7) equality, anti-discrimination, women and special groups (8) child labour, adolescent worker and forced labour.
Abil Bin Amin, Country Manager of ETI Bangladesh, opened the session by introducing the Joint ETIs and outlining the meeting’s objectives.
During the meeting, ETI Bangladesh presented key recommendations gathered from its members, focusing on five critical topics: human rights due diligence, the right to form associations and collective bargaining, wages and social protection, and industrial grievance resolution.
Participants discussed how to address ambiguities in labour laws, ensure fair wages, and improve the implementation of reforms at the grassroots level.
Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed emphasised the importance of involving workers, lower-tier entrepreneurs, and home-based workers in the reform process.
Taslima Akhter, member of the LRC, highlighted the need for fair pricing and the sustainability of enterprises.
The discussion also addressed the challenges of implementing reforms, with participants calling for clearer roles, responsibilities, and legal frameworks.
Suggestions included establishing a national labour commission to oversee the implementation of reforms. The LRC acknowledged the importance of balancing workers' rights with the sustainability of enterprises.
The meeting concluded with a focus on future engagement, emphasising the need for collaboration between the government, industry stakeholders, and workers to ensure the effective implementation of reforms.
