BEF signs MoU with BRAC on training on HRDD and RBC

Bangladesh Employers' Federation (BEF) and BRAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on imparting training on human rights due diligence (HRDD) and responsible business conduct (RBC) on Monday at the BEF Gulshan office.

Farooq Ahmed, Secretary-General and CEO, BEF, and SK Jenefa K Jabbar, Director, Social Compliance and Safeguarding, BRAC, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations, says a press release.

The training programmes are specifically designed to meet the unique requirements of various industrial sectors, including but not limited to RMG & textile, leather & leather goods, footwear, other manufacturing, agro-processing, and IT & ITES.

The programmes will emphasise the adoption of international labour standards, labour laws, and environmental regulations, fostering a culture of respect, fairness, and sustainability within businesses.

BEF President Ardashir Kabir said that being at the threshold of LDC-graduation, Bangladesh must ensure equitable economic growth and protection of human rights. This entailed businesses and individuals to be adequately trained on HRDD and RBC. The goal of this BEF-BRAC partnership was to create comprehensive training programmes on these matters so that businesses could meet global standards and mitigate risks arising from rapid industrial growth.

He reiterated BEF's commitment to the proliferation of best practices associated with HRDD and RBC in Bangladesh.

Asif Saleh, Executive Director, BRAC, said that with the ever-increasing global requirement for compliance, there was a need to set up relevant training programmes that worked with the private sector. As BRAC's core focus centred on development, this partnership to be a step towards creating a safe workplace, he added.