On Thursday, 24th April, representatives from UK trade unions and civil society organisations delivered a joint appeal to the Bangladesh High Commission in London, urging the South Asian nation to take swift action on wage reforms and to safeguard trade union rights for garment workers.
The delegation included prominent UK unions such as UNISON, GMB, PCS, CWU, and IWGB, alongside NGOs like Labour Behind the Label, War on Want, Amnesty International UK, and No Sweat. The event featured a rally where speakers pressed the interim government to prioritise wage increases, expand social security measures for garment workers, and foster an environment supportive of trade union activities.
Marking the 12th anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy, a catastrophic collapse that claimed 1,138 lives, the gathering also observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims, highlighting ongoing concerns over factory safety and workers’ rights.
Campaigners emphasised the need for resilient social protections amid ongoing global economic uncertainties, including fluctuating trade tariffs and climate-related disruptions. They criticised the persistence of exploitative conditions, reminiscent of colonial-era trade policies, which they said perpetuated economic subjugation of Bangladeshi garment workers. Anna Bryher of Labour Behind the Label condemned the systemic barriers that keep workers in economic hardship and called on the interim government to enact legal reforms and social security improvements to shield workers from global pressures.
The letter also addressed the legal repression faced by union activists, citing numerous court cases initiated against thousands of workers and trade unionists following protests over wage disputes earlier this year. While some cases have been dismissed, many remain unresolved, creating an environment of fear that hampers union organising efforts and undermines human rights in the sector.
It urges the Bangladeshi authorities to cancel the remaining legal charges and create a more open environment for workers to unionize freely. Kalpona Akter, head of the Bangladesh Garment & Industrial Workers Federation, underscored the importance of dropping these legal barriers as a foundational step toward an industry where workers can earn a living wage and exercise their rights without intimidation.
The ongoing labour reform review process, led by the interim government, has seen unions submit their recommendations, but campaigners stress the urgency of swift implementation to improve working conditions and uphold workers’ rights in Bangladesh’s garment industry.
