BM Report:

Stepping beyond the garment sector, Bangladesh is charting a path towards responsible business conduct (RBC) across its entire economy. The International Labour Organization (ILO) Better Work Bangladesh (BWB) spearheaded a two-day consultation event, “Responsible Business Conduct along Value Chain and Purchasing Practices,” gathering over 100 stakeholders from government, trade unions, employers, enterprises, and civil society.

While the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector has seen progress in decent work practices, this event acknowledged the need for broader action. Discussions extended to Plastic, Tea, Agriculture, FMCG, Leather & Footwear, reflecting a collective goal of sustainable and responsible business across the country.

Aligning with international instruments like the ILO MNE Declaration and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the consultation explored concrete steps to translate RBC into reality. Participants delved into business practices that champion decent work and identified roles and responsibilities of various actors.

Tuomo Poutiainen, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh, emphasized the crucial role of RBC in achieving inclusive growth. He called for collective action to foster dialogue, understanding, and promotion of RBC across industries and supply chains, highlighting the potential for other sectors to learn from BWB’s RMG experience.

Avijit Chowdhury, Additional Secretary to the Government and Executive Member of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), echoed the need for economic diplomacy that prioritizes improved working conditions and elevated work standards. He highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to integrating decent work issues in its investment policy and promoting sustainable investments through technology, skill development, and compliance.

Haruta Hiroki, First Secretary and Head of Economic Department at the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, reaffirmed Japan’s unwavering commitment to RBC and ethical business practices. He underscored their genuine care for human rights and dedication to fostering positive impact.

The event culminated in a potential roadmap for promoting RBC and decent work in Bangladesh. This roadmap outlines priority actions for sustainable, responsible, and inclusive business practices across sectors. It also recommends the creation of a national working group on RBC to provide overarching guidance and ensure coordinated efforts.

With this consultation, Bangladesh takes a significant stride towards a future where responsible business practices become the norm across its diverse economy. This collaborative effort, guided by international frameworks and fueled by the commitment of various stakeholders, paves the way for sustainable and inclusive growth with decent work at its core.