A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leathergoods, and Footwear Exporters’ Association (BFLLFEA), 23 BFLLFEA member factories from Savar Tannery Industrial Estate, Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF) at an event held in Dhaka on 3 November 2024.
The ceremony brought together 50 participants, including representatives from BFLLFEA, factories, ETI, BLF, Mondiaal FNV and other stakeholders, who discussed the importance of this partnership for promoting responsible and sustainable practices in Bangladesh’s tannery sector. They highlighted the role of collaborative action in enhancing Bangladesh’s global reputation in ethical leather production.
This collaboration aims to improve environmental and social conditions in the Savar Tannery Industrial Estate through collective efforts, contributing to the development of a sustainable tannery sector in Bangladesh. The project focuses on reducing pollution and mitigating the environmental impact of tannery operations, fostering compliance with international standards, ethical practices, and environmental responsibility.
The project, a joint initiative by Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), ETI Bangladesh, Bangladesh Labour Foundation (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 partnership with UNCTAD.
Through this initiative, the project will engage 40 tanneries within the Savar Tannery Estate in collaboration with business associations and trade unions to support the industry’s progress toward sustainability and international compliance.
