The Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), with the support of Mondiaal FNV, has organised a two-day capacity-building training for journalists on Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) in the garment sector.
BILS Advisory Council member Naimul Ahsan Jewel inaugurated the session on Saturday at the Hotel Asia in the capital.
The training will continue till Sunday (31August).
During the opening session, the speakers emphasised the garment industry plays a crucial role as the backbone of the country's economy.
However, with many European countries, including Germany, increasing legal protections to ensure human rights in the supply chain, there is a growing risk that Bangladesh's garment industry may face a reduction in purchase orders after 2029 if workers' human rights are not guaranteed.
Therefore, it is necessary for the government, employers, workers, and the media to raise awareness on this issue, they said.
"BILS has taken the initiative to enhance journalists' skills on HRDD, so they can highlight the issue through their reports, contributing to improving the living standards of workers," Naimul Ahsan Jewel said.
He also stressed the need for specific laws to protect human rights in the supply chain.
Mondiaal FNV consultant Shahinur Rahman said, "Workers' rights must be ensured at every stage, from cotton cultivation to the delivery of products to consumers. This includes timely wage payments, adequate rest, a safe and healthy working environment, and maternity leave."
He emphasised that the HRDD can play an important role in ensuring accountability for brands and buyers in preventing human rights violations in the supply chain.
As an integral part of the supply chain, factories must take measures to prevent violations of human rights and labor rights, which will reduce instability and conflict between employers and workers.
Other speakers at the event included President of the Bangladesh Labour Rights Journalists Forum Kazi Abdul Hannan, Office Secretary of the Economic Reporters Forum Zakir Hossain, Senior Trainer Motaher Hossain, and BILS Deputy Director Yusuf Al Mamun.
The training has been organised by BILS to enhance journalists' capacity in the national context of HRDD processes. A resource toolkit and training manual have been created, based on data gathered and analyzed from various sources, with the aim of improving journalists' reporting, editorial, and column-writing skills.
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