Factory owners fear ILO Convention 190 may expose garment sector to risks beyond its control

Highlights

• BKMEA cites clause covering violence during travel to or from workplace
• Fear of misuse of convention by foreign states against Bangladesh
• Question raised why key Asian economies skipped ratification
• Labour leaders stress need for democratically elected factory committees

Factory owners have said Bangladesh's recent ratification of ILO Convention 190 has increased their responsibilities within the global supply chain, while raising concern that the garment sector could face fallout from issues arising in other industries.

The convention could expose the apparel sector to risks beyond its control, they said at a seminar in Dhaka today (23 October) titled "Advancing Gender-Sensitive Workplaces: Implementation of Comprehensive Learning and Monitoring Resource Pack".

Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, executive president of BKMEA, said if the government fails to act against gender-based violence in other industries, complaints could be raised at the International Labour Organization (ILO) that might ultimately affect the garment sector's global standing.

He added that the convention includes provisions under which factory owners could be held liable even for incidents outside their direct authority. 

"One clause covers violence or harassment faced by workers while travelling to or from the workplace," he told The Business Standard after the event. "Even if owners are not responsible for incidents beyond factory premises, they could still be held accountable."

Ehsan also expressed concern that foreign states could misuse the convention to make false allegations against Bangladesh. Questioning why countries such as Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and India have not ratified it, he said Bangladesh should have evaluated those examples before signing.

The Dhaka event brought together stakeholders from the ready-made garment (RMG) industry to discuss experiences and initiatives for promoting gender-sensitive workplaces. It was organised under the STITCH–BKMEA collaboration.

The ILO Convention 190 is a landmark international standard aimed at eliminating violence and harassment, including gender-based violence, in workplaces worldwide.

On Wednesday, the interim government ratified three key ILO conventions: the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (155); the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (187); and the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (190).

Factory representatives at the event said a pilot programme had already helped reduce gender-based violence in workplaces and urged that it be expanded across the country. 

BKMEA said it would propose implementing the initiative in its 800 member factories and recommend its adoption in other industries with government support.

Under the programme, workers receive training on gender-based violence and harassment, complaint procedures, and access to remedies if grievances remain unaddressed.

Anika, a representative of Metro Knitting and Dyeing, said, "There was a time when discrimination existed in factories. Workers were afraid to complain for fear of losing their jobs. After receiving training, their confidence has grown and the situation has improved."

Bablur Rahman, country manager of Fair Wear, said the initiatives would continue, adding that the developed guidelines could serve as a model for national policies.

Babul Akhter, general secretary of IndustriALL Bangladesh Council, said, "Many factories have committees to address harassment and violence, but unless these committees are democratically elected, they will remain ineffective."

Others who spoke included BKMEA director Minhazul Hoque, ETI Bangladesh director Munir Uddin Shamim, and BGMEA representative Sheikh Shuchita Jahan Sneha.