ETI Bangladesh conducted sessions for 23 members of Sexual Harassment Complaint Committees (SHCC) from four factories from 26 to 29 January 2025. The group comprised 16 women and 7 men.
The session covered key areas essential for SHCC members, including the role and responsibilities of the committees, workplace policies on harassment prevention, effective complaint handling, and the importance of confidentiality. Sessions explored the causes of gender-based violence and ways to build a culture of respect and accountability.
The sessions also addressed national and international legal frameworks, such as the Bangladesh Labour Act, High Court guidelines on workplace harassment, ILO Convention 190, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The aim of the session was to equip SHCC members with the knowledge needed to foster safer and more inclusive work environments.
Participants took part in group discussions and role-playing exercises to apply their learning to practical situations. They analysed case studies, simulated workplace scenarios to test different approaches, and worked in groups to identify challenges and propose solutions.
Each factory developed a one-year action plan to enhance prevention measures and improve the handling of complaints.
On the final day, Abil Bin Amin, Country Manager of ETI Bangladesh, noted progress in RMG factories regarding SHCC and Participatory Committees (PC). He underscored the responsibility of factories to maintain safe workplaces, with ETI Bangladesh offering continued support. He highlighted the need to understand labour laws and grievance mechanisms in destination countries, emphasising the importance of accessible complaint systems.
Mr. Amin appreciated participants’ recommendations and action plans, calling them a first step in a continuous process. He urged collective efforts to advance workplace safety and gender equality.
