Two global organisations that work to improve labour rights and conditions in the garment supply chain urged both buyers and suppliers to navigate this transitional period following a regime change.
The Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) and the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) in separate statements on Tuesday and Monday respectively made the call following factory closures, recent unrest over an extraordinary student-mass upheaval in Bangladesh.
FWF is a non-profit and ETI a UK-based tripartite body that work to improve conditions for workers at garment units and labour rights in the global supply chains.
FWF said Bangladesh has seen weeks of mass protests and violent repression, adding that Sheikh Hasina resigned as premier and left the country on August 05.
Citing reports, it said everyday life continued to be impacted by violence and uncertainty over what the interim government announced by the army chief.
"With the situation rapidly evolving, we remain in close contact with our team to ensure their safety, engage with stakeholders and other like-minded organisations to align on how to respond, and are continuously updating our member brands."
"Responsible business conduct is crucial at all times, but particularly in times of unrest. Brands must therefore adapt their risk assessments and sourcing strategies and practice responsible purchasing."
As the current situation poses significant risks for business as well as workers, brands and suppliers have a shared responsibility to respect human rights.
"We strongly recommend garment brands sourcing from Bangladesh to engage with their suppliers in the country as best possible (considering the unreliable internet and phone connectivity) to jointly discuss how to navigate these extraordinary circumstances."
Meanwhile, ETI said, "We're expecting the interim government to be established in the next few hours and to announce a set of measures from tomorrow. What follows will undoubtedly have impacts for people across the country, with immediate implications for workers and global supply chains."
Both organisations suggested prioritising worker safety for travelling to and from work.
The FWF recommendations included extending production timelines, managing delays and not penalising suppliers in these cases and ensuring timely payments to suppliers and following legal procedures, especially in regards to wages and temporary closure.
In short term, brands need to ensure suppliers pay wages for July in full and on time, it said adding ensuring wages are not deducted from monthly pay during the government's mandated public holiday period nor should workers be asked to compensate these public holidays through their regular weekly day off and wage payments need to be made within seven working days.
Meantime, after two consecutive days' suspension of production from Monday, apparel manufacturing units resume operations today (Wednesday).
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) on Tuesday night again requested all members to reopen their respective units.
Earlier on Sunday, the BGMEA and the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) asked their member units to close factories until further instructions amid a curfew and student movement.
However, Sinha Textile, Beximco Synthetics, a warehouse of scrapped clothing items of Ha-Meem Group, and Bengal Plastic at Zirani in Ashulia and Outpace Spinning in Gazipur were torched on Sunday.
[email protected]
