B Mirror Desk : The RMG Sustainability Council (RSC) and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have recently clashed over the tracking of labor rights concerns in the apparel industry.

The apparel apex body, BGMEA, on Sunday directed its member factories to refrain from complying with the new non-safety-related complaint mechanism introduced by the RSC.

In a circular, BGMEA stated that it had come to their attention that the Managing Director of the RSC had recently issued a letter to factories regarding a non-Occupational Safety and Health (non-OSH) complaints mechanism.

“We kindly request all member factories not to respond to any communications, letters, or circulars from the RSC related to the non-OSH complaints mechanism,” the circular read.

The trade body said the matter is currently under review, and BGMEA’s management is in close communication with the RSC to clarify its position through constructive dialogue. A final decision on the issue will be made following discussion at the upcoming RSC Board meeting.

BGMEA added that temporarily suspending compliance with the non-OSH mechanism would help ensure a consistent and coordinated approach aligned with its existing policies and guidance.

Earlier, the RMG Sustainability Council — which took over the functions of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh — informed its listed garment factories through a letter that, starting November 16, it would expand its complaints mechanism beyond OSH issues to a Comprehensive Complaints Mechanism (CCM).

The expanded mechanism aims to cover a wider range of workplace-related and labour rights issues, including unfair employment contracts, terminations, wages, benefits, leave, freedom of association, collective bargaining, child labour, forced labour, and discrimination in garment factories.

According to the RSC, the rollout will take place in two phases. The first phase, lasting six months, will involve 58 brands and 1,185 factories to establish a foundation for broader implementation. The second phase will later incorporate all remaining brands and factories.

The disagreement underscores the growing tension between the industry’s leading trade body and the sustainability watchdog over the scope and oversight of labour rights in Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector — the country’s top export earner.