On 23 December 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Dhaka between the Tannery Workers Union (TWU), Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF).
The event brought together 22 participants, including representatives from TWU, ETI Bangladesh, BLF, and Mondiaal FNV. To initiate and discuss the significance of this collaboration in promoting sustainable and responsible practices within Bangladesh’s tannery sector.
It emphasized the significance of collaboration and worker engagement in strengthening Bangladesh's global standing in leather production. This partnership aims to enhance environmental and social conditions at the Savar Tannery Industrial Estate, promoting a sustainable tannery sector through collective actions with active worker participation. The project focus areas include pollution reduction, minimizing the environmental footprint of tannery operations, and ensuring adherence to international standards, ethical practices, and environmental responsibilities.
The ceremony included speeches from Abul Kalam Azad, President of TWU; Abdul Maleque, General Secretary of TWU; Md. Shahinur Rahman, Consultant for Mondiaal FNV; Abil Bin Amin, Country Manager of ETI Bangladesh; and A K M Ashraf Uddin, Executive Director of BLF. Presentations were given by Nafiz Mahmud Ayon, Programme Coordinator-Climate Change & Just Transition of ETI Bangladesh, and Farjana Yasmin, Climate Change & Environment Specialist of ETI Bangladesh. The event was moderated by Lutful Bin Faruq, Programme Manager for Climate Change & Just Transition at ETI Bangladesh.
This initiative, jointly undertaken by ETI, ETI Bangladesh, BLF, and Mondiaal FNV, is funded by the Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) programme, established by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in collaboration with UNCTAD.
As part of this project, 40 tanneries within the Savar Tannery Industrial Estate will be engaged, working closely with business associations and trade unions to advance sustainability and ensure compliance with international standards.
