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23 October, 2025Bangladesh has become the first country in South Asia to ratify ILO Conventions 190, 155 and 187, addressing violence and harassment, occupational safety and health (OSH), and the promotional framework for OSH. The ratifications come after years of sustained campaigning by IndustriALL Global Union and its affiliates, supported by global partners, to secure stronger protections for workers and legally binding safety commitments.
More than a decade after the Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013, unions in Bangladesh and the IndustriALL Bangladesh Council have continued to push for comprehensive reforms to make workplaces safe and to hold employers and brands accountable. IndustriALL and its Bangladeshi affiliates have worked to strengthen the country’s labour inspection system, update OSH legislation and advocate for the ratification of ILO Conventions 155, 187 and 190.
“This achievement belongs to the workers who have demanded safety and dignity for years. Now the challenge is to make sure these conventions are implemented so that every woman and every worker can work without fear,”
says Nazma Akhter, IndsutriAILL Executive Committee member and president of the Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation (SGSF).
Following the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety in 2013, IndustriALL, UNI Global Union and global brands established the Bangladesh Accord the same year and the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) Sustainability Council (RSC) in 2020. The RSC has continued the work of the Accord, ensuring that factory safety remains a legally binding obligation and that workers can report safety concerns through an independent complaints mechanism.
Gender-based violence and harassment: building respect and equality
With women making up the majority of the garment workforce, unions have fought to make workplaces free from abuse and discrimination. Together with affiliates, IndustriALL has promoted the creation of anti-harassment committees, gender-sensitive grievance procedures and training for workers and supervisors. Global framework agreements with major brands like H&M and Inditex have reinforced these commitments and strengthened accountability across supplier factories.
“Ratification must be followed by action. We will continue to monitor progress and ensure these international standards bring real improvements to workers’ lives,”
says Babul Akhter, general secretary of the IndustriALL Bangladesh Council.
During a visit to Bangladesh in May 2025, IndustriALL representatives met with affiliates and senior government officials, including the Labour and Employment Adviser and the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy for International Affairs. The delegation called for effective implementation of labour reforms, improved OSH standards and decent wages for all workers.
Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary, says:
“These ratifications are the result of persistent campaigning by trade unions and the solidarity of workers in Bangladesh and worldwide. Binding commitments, strong unions and social dialogue are what drive real change.”
Photo: May Day celebrations, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2025