Better Work Bangladesh
Established in 2014, Better Work Bangladesh has been an essential facilitator of growth and expansion of the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry ─ one of the country’s most significant export-oriented drivers.
Focused on promoting decent work, empowering women and fostering inclusive economic growth, the programme has grown to include about 505 participating factories. Working with 49 brands and retailers, Better Work Bangladesh impacts around 1.4 million workers, 49 per cent of whom are women.
In its first phase (2014 – 2017), the programme contributed to the work of the ILO to assist the Government of Bangladesh to better align the country’s labour laws with international labour standards and best practices. This period was marked by labour law amendments and improvements in union registration criteria, which adhered to the ILO’s fundamental conventions on Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining. In Phase II (2018 – 2022), the programme expanded its operations from Dhaka to Chittagong, the second largest hub for the RMG industry.
To respond to evolving industry needs, the programme, in its third and current phase, has adopted an agile service model and initiated several special initiatives, including the Gender Equality and Returns (GEAR) program, Maternity Protection and Breastfeeding Rights initiatives, the Factory Ambassador Programme (FAP), Capacity Building sessions for Trade Union Leaders, Welfare Officer Training, and Integrated Advisory Solutions Workshops (IASW). Following a High Court directive, the programme has rolled out a new, comprehensive training and advisory package that includes Anti-Harassment Committee Training to improve workplace harassment prevention and protection.
Our Strategic Goals
Better Work Bangladesh’s 2022-2027 strategic phase will work to achieve the following outcomes:
By 2027, employers and workers and their representatives in the Better Work programme uphold and are protected by national labour laws and fundamental principles and rights at work; and enterprises in the sector that have emerged from the COVID-19 crisis are more sustainable, resilient and inclusive.
By 2027, Better Work’s impact on workers, businesses and compliance is sustained by national institutions that leverage the programme’s approaches, data and evidence.
By 2027, enterprises that participate in Better Work have adopted policies and practices on responsible business conduct that support the realization of decent work.
By 2027, Better Work’s learnings and methods have created positive social and environmental impacts beyond the programme as they are adopted in other sectors.
Latest news
How this factory in Bangladesh stayed open during industry crisis
“During the unrest in August 2024, our workers were peaceful. We closed the factory for only three to four days considering the security of our workers. Wages were paid to all employees for those days,” said Nargis Akhter, Welfare Officer at Textown Group. Textown Group’s factories are in Ashulia on the outskirts of Bangladesh’s capital …
Stability amid the storm: when dialogue resolves disputes and disruptions
Cutting through the glass ceiling
Contribution to Priority Themes
Better Work Bangladesh will contribute to the following priority themes set forth in the global Better Work strategy. These themes crosscut the strategic goals and will be present in our factory engagement, research, policy influencing and content produced as well as affect how we allocate our human and financial resources.
Business Performance
Under the Japan-funded Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) programme on responsible business conduct, capacity development and awareness-raising initiatives will be implemented for government officials, business and trade bodies. Employers’ associations and workers’ organizations will be trained on productivity skills at the enterprise level.
Data and Evidence
As an industry convener, Better Work Bangladesh plays the pivotal role of being a knowledge broker. In line with the digitalization of service delivery, the collection and dissemination of data and evidence between Better Work, ILO and IFC, and national constituents will be bolstered, which will include Better Work sources and others in areas such as compliance, environment and gender.
Environmental Sustainability
Better Work Bangladesh will deepen and expand its partnerships, including with the IFC on cleaner production, energy efficiency and chemical waste management. We will also work with relevant technical units of the ILO and partners to support enterprises to address the negative impacts of the apparel industry on the environment and on the surrounding communities.
Gender Equality & Inclusion
Better Work Bangladesh will work to reduce discrimination on the factory floor, address the gender pay gap, skills gap and digitization of wages, and support women’s representation in leadership roles in trade unions, factories, employer organizations and the public sector.
Occupational Safety and Health
Better Work Bangladesh will continue to promote safer workplaces through the safety committee as part of OSH management systems. The collaboration with RMG Sustainability Council and other industry actors will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of resources used for the capacity-building programmes on OSH and Industrial Safety.
Social Dialogue
Better Work Bangladesh will work in conjunction with other ILO technical units to promote strong social dialogue. Both employer and worker organizations will be supported in strengthening freedom of association and collective bargaining and enabling social dialogue in the workplace.
Social Protection
In collaboration with the ILO, GIZ, and tripartite constituents, a number of Better Work Bangladesh buyer partners have opted for a trial of the Employment Injury Insurance (EII) scheme in their respective supply chains. The trial will look to reinforce the EII scheme in line with ILO Convention 121, spearhead research on employment-related injuries, and raise awareness about the benefits of EII.
Wages
Better Work Bangladesh will leverage in-depth data pertaining to wage payments to inform and support national constituents in establishing fair and equitable wage setting mechanisms, culminating in adequate minimum wages and potentially, higher productivity.
