10 years of Ethical Trading Initiative: RMG leaders urge 'institutionalisation' of social dialogue in sector
A key focus of the event was to highlight social dialogue not just as a compliance tool, but as an essential lifeline for workers' dignity and justice
Leaders from the country's ready-made garment (RMG) sector have called for social dialogue to be institutionalised as a "culture" within the industry during a multi-stakeholder event held yesterday (18 September) to mark a decade of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Bangladesh's Social Dialogue Programme.
They urged moving beyond pilot initiatives to ensure a sustainable and inclusive future for millions of workers.
The event, supported by the Sustainable Textile Initiative: Together for Change (Stitch), brought together over 100 key industry players, including representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, BGMEA, BKMEA, trade unions, and global brands, according to a press release.
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Discussions focused on the sector's immediate future amid major transitions, including the country's LDC graduation.
During his remarks, Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, chairperson of the Bangladesh Labour Reform Commission, emphasised, "Throughout this decade we have discussed social dialogue, but it is essential to develop the culture of it that spreads beyond any one industry."
A key focus of the event was to highlight social dialogue not just as a compliance tool, but as an essential lifeline for workers' dignity and justice. One factory general manager made a compelling case for the business benefits of this approach.
"Thanks to having a trade union in my factory, we did not face any unrest during the sporadic bouts of labour unrest since last year. Having trade unions alone is a business case," said a general manager of a reputed RMG factory.
Speakers at the event stressed that impactful results are possible through collective action and communication, and that trade unions, collective bargaining, and freedom of association carry a clear business case that can accelerate progress.
Throughout this decade we have discussed social dialogue, but it is essential to develop the culture of it that spreads beyond any one industry
The event also highlighted that while over 90% of the industry's workforce consists of women and youth, only 5-9% hold leadership roles.
Discussants noted that only 12-13% of workers in the industry are formally organised, stressing that worker representation is often viewed as "ornamental" and that this must change for meaningful engagement.
Abil Bin Amin, executive director of ETI Bangladesh, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Enough pilot work has been laid down in these ten years; the next ten years need to be paved by an ambitious vision built on concrete steps toward practical action."
He concluded by calling social dialogue "not just a business case, but a fundamental right."
