Ethical Trading Initiative Bangladesh (ETI) held a consultation workshop on 28 January 2026 in Dhaka to discuss Freedom of Association and social dialogue in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector.
The workshop was part of the SPEAKS platform, a collaborative initiative that brings together brands, manufacturers, workers’ representatives and social partners to strengthen social dialogue and address risks related to Freedom of Association in global supply chains.
The workshop brought together 22 representatives from RMG factories, including HR, compliance, sustainability and administration professionals. The purpose was to gather industry insights on risks affecting workers, understand perspectives on Freedom of Association, and discuss national and global legislation changes and expectations from the SPEAKS platform.
Participants discussed how economic changes, technological developments, climate issues and political factors influence the sector. They noted that rising costs, compliance requirements and environmental regulations could affect employment stability and income security for workers.
The discussion also covered current practices of Freedom of Association in factories. Participants identified challenges such as limited institutional capacity, lack of trust and weak communication. Other barriers included political influence, low worker awareness and gaps in management capacity. Opportunities for improvement included raising awareness, increasing transparency and enhancing engagement among all stakeholders.
The workshop concluded with participants outlining expectations for the SPEAKS platform. Suggestions included training programmes, legal awareness support, collaborative monitoring and broader engagement among manufacturers, brands, worker representatives and social partners to promote stronger social dialogue in the sector.
