IndustriALL, a global union federation representing over 50 million workers across 140 countries, has urged Bangladesh’s apparel manufacturers to ensure the protection of workers’ rights and wages during the recent unrest and curfew period in the country.
The global rights platform in a statement issued on August 7 said that the government’s heavy-handed response to the quota reform movement led to over 450 deaths, widespread injuries, harassment of women workers, and severe restrictions on information and freedom of expression.
Amid growing insecurity over people’s lives in the country, parliament was dissolved on August 5 after prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country, and on August 7, Mohammad Yunus was appointed chief adviser to form an interim government, it said.
IndustriALL in its statement said that this unprecedented situation was directly affecting workers, particularly those in the manufacturing industries.
The protests have also highlighted broader governance and human rights issues in Bangladesh, it mentioned.
The IndustriALL Bangladesh Council, composed of IndustriALL affiliates, has engaged with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association to demand several key actions, the statement said.
The global rights platform demanded protecting wages by ensuring all workers receive their pay during the curfew period, preventing job losses, retrenchment, or harassment of workers due to the current situation, and respecting and safeguarding the safety and rights of all workers and their families.
The IBC also emphasised the importance of engaging in dialogue with trade unions, particularly on labour law reforms, minimum wages, and employment policies.
‘The situation in Bangladesh is heartbreaking. We’re deeply saddened by the loss of lives during the unrest. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and everyone affected by this violence,’ IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie said.
He said that it was alarming that Bangladesh was among the 10 worst countries for working people, according to the 2024 ITUC Global Rights Index.
It is time for the interim government in Bangladesh to restore rule of law and respect freedom of speech, honour its commitments to international human rights bodies, including the ILO, and engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders, including trade unions, Atle Høie said.
The platform called on the government of Bangladesh to restore human rights and equity for victims of state violence, including providing fair compensation and improving workplace safety.
It also said that the unrest over quota reform movement had severely impacted the country’s manufacturing industries, particularly the garment sector, worsening fragile worker conditions and significantly disrupting livelihoods.
IndustriALL claimed that Bangladesh’s garment workers have long faced difficult conditions, including low wages, unsafe working environments, and the suppression of labour rights.
Since 2023, minimum wage protests have led to the arrest and violence against many workers and trade union activists, including incidents of police brutality, it said.
‘It is a time to build a sustainable future for the RMG sector with proper wages and working conditions,’ the statement mentioned.
