Promoting decent work that focuses on a more ethical, egalitarian, and environmentally friendly sector has been stressed by the Sustainable garment Forum (SAF) 2024 as a means of ensuring a sustainable and competitive garment industry in Bangladesh and beyond.
The SAF 2024 was held in the nation’s capital today by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange, in association with ILO-IFC Better Work Bangladesh, GIZ, and WaterAid. Attendees included national and international partners, government representatives, and business executives to discuss how to create a more moral and environmentally responsible future.
According to a press release, Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest exporter of RMGs and employs over four million people in the industry. Bangladesh is vital to the global clothing supply chain.
This year’s SAF 2024 was planned to bring together industry participants in order to promote discussion, exchange best practices, and motivate action in the direction of a more sustainable future for the clothing industry.
The forum started with an opening session and a discussion on “Vision Bangladesh | 2024 and Beyond: Sustaining Achievements and Competitiveness of the Apparel Industry,” highlighting Bangladesh’s ambitious vision to solidify its position as a global leader, while addressing emerging challenges.
In his opening remarks, Salman Fazlur Rahman, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister, emphasized the industry’s critical role in the country’s economic growth and underscored the importance of continuous innovation and sustainable practices.
“The apparel industry is pivotal in Bangladesh’s economic growth and development. However, to sustain this momentum, we must prioritize sustainability and ethical practices,” he said.
The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority’s (BIDA) executive member and additional secretary, Avijit Chowdhury, underlined the significance of development cooperation in attaining sustainable growth.
He reflected, “Collaboration between government, industry, and international partners is essential to address the apparel industry’s challenges and drive meaningful change.”
Highlighting the role of international cooperation, Charles Whiteley, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, reaffirmed the E.U.’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s efforts towards sustainability.
“Development cooperation plays a crucial role in promoting ethical practices, environmental conservation, and social inclusion within the apparel industry,” Whiteley noted.
The Sustainable Apparel Forum (SAF) 2024 is centered around the goal of maintaining industry competitiveness and achievements while also advocating for decent work.
The ILO’s Country Director for Finland, Tuomo Poutiainen, stressed the significance of providing all employees with secure and respectable working environments.
“Decent work is fundamental to sustainable development. By prioritising fair wages, safe working environments, and opportunities for career advancement, we can ensure the well-being of workers and the long-term success of the industry,” Poutiainen said.
Miran Ali, Vice President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), stressed the need for sustainability to remain competitive in the global market. “Sustainability is not just a moral imperative; it’s also a business imperative. By adopting eco-friendly practices and ethical standards, we can enhance our competitiveness and secure a prosperous future for the industry,” he added.
Providing a voice for workers, Mesbahuddin Ahmed, President of the National Coordination Committee for Workers’ Education (NCCWE), called for greater empowerment and representation. “Workers are the backbone of the apparel industry. It’s crucial that their voices are heard, and their rights protected,” Ahmed said.
Amirul Haque Amin, President of the IndustriAll Bangladesh Council, said, “Tripartism, coupled with the involvement of international buyers, is very important for fostering harmony and sustainability within the apparel industry.”
“Through collaboration and innovation, we’re shaping a future where sustainability and competitiveness go hand in hand in Bangladesh’s apparel industry,” said Mostafiz Uddin, Founder & CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange.
SAF 2024 had nine sessions, including plenary sessions, keynote addresses, and presentations on Vision Bangladesh 2024 and Beyond; Behind the Seams: Good Working Conditions and Earnings in the RMG Sector: Views on the Duties of Female Employees and Supervision Procedures; Prospects for Sustainable Innovation in the Future; Water Sustainability in the Apparel Industry: Obstacles, Opportunities, and Solutions; and Energy Sustainability: Handling the Shift for Bangladeshi Textile and Apparel Production.
More than 500 people joined the forum. Ten booths from the ILO-IFC Better Work Bangladesh programme showcased the apparel industry’s good practices, depicting the core areas of services: assessment, advisory and training.
Stakeholders were urged to turn ideas into practical actions as the SAF 2024 came to an end. As a result of the forum’s proposals, which ranged from strengthening worker empowerment to encouraging sustainable practices, Bangladesh’s garment industry as well as others stand to benefit greatly from a revolutionary shift in direction.
