ETI Bangladesh Hosts Consultations on Promoting Just Transition and Environmental Sustainability in RMG Sector

The event was attended by the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) leaderships, including special guest Mina Masud Uzzaman, Additional Inspector General, DIFE. During the workshop, ETI presented key findings from a research study on "Perception of Stakeholders towards Climate Change, Just Transition and Environmental Sustainability in the Bangladesh RMG Sector".
DIFE representatives shared insights into their existing labor law enforcement scope, operational practices, challenges faced, and opportunities to further environmental aims in the RMG industry through training, collaboration with factories, and engagement with organizations like ETI.
An open discussion explored recommendations such as incorporating environmental issues into DIFE's inspection checklists and awareness programs, aligning findings with labor law reform, incentivizing green factories, providing capacity building for environmental compliance, and ensuring inter-ministerial coordination.
In his closing remarks, Mina Masud Uzzaman emphasized decent workplaces, worker welfare, ongoing research needs, potential legal reforms, green factory incentives, training provisions, waste management, and multi-stakeholder collaboration for sustainable RMG development.
On May 15, ETI Bangladesh and BLF had organized another workshop titled "Promoting Just Transition & Environmental Sustainability in the Bangladesh RMG Industry" in Dhaka. It was attended by 15 DIFE officials.
Key findings from the same research study on stakeholder perceptions towards climate change, just transition, and environmental sustainability in the RMG sector were shared. DIFE representatives provided insights into existing policies, initiatives, operational structures, opportunities, partnerships, and challenges in promoting just transitions, green energy, and environmental sustainability.
Discussions covered DIFE's work within labor law regulations, rainwater harvesting practices, use of LED lights and energy savers, the Green Factory Award, and potential amendments to appoint environmental officers. Collaboration with organizations like ETI and consideration of environmental laws by buyers were emphasized.
In his closing remarks at this workshop, DIFE's Deputy Inspector General, A K M Salauddin, acknowledged the government's initiatives and the need for collective efforts from all stakeholders. He appreciated the platform and expressed willingness for future collaborations.

Both workshops concluded with an agreement on the necessity for continued collaboration and research to achieve just transition and environmental sustainability goals in Bangladesh's RMG industry. The events underscored ETI Bangladesh's efforts to advance an environmentally sustainable and rights-friendly RMG sector through multi-stakeholder engagement.