Bangladeshi RMG factories reap benefits from Better Work programme

Garment factories enrolled in the Better Work Bangladesh (BWB) programme are undergoing fewer social audits—used to assess labour and human rights risks—compared to factories not participating in the initiative.

Babylon Group, which operates four knit and woven garment factories, has seen its average number of social audits drop from about 12 annually to seven or eight since joining the BWB programme. Rubaet Bin Aziz, Group General Manager of HR, Admin, and Compliance at Babylon Garments Limited, shared this information during a media visit to the company's Mirpur-based factory on Thursday.

“This reduction not only saves valuable time but also cuts annual costs by approximately Tk 10 million,” Aziz said.

Three of Babylon Group's factories have been working with the Better Work programme for the past seven years.

The media tour was organised by BWB to showcase how effective social dialogue and grievance mechanisms can lead to stronger worker-management relationships and support both economic performance and worker well-being.

A report by the International Trade Center (ITC), released in August last year, noted that Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) sector continues to experience the highest average number of social audits, even as other countries like China, Vietnam, Turkey, and India have seen a decline in such assessments.

The report pointed out that excessive auditing can lead to "fatigue" and "inefficiencies" within supply chains.

Local apparel exporters echoed this concern, stating that the same auditors often conduct multiple audits throughout the year, collecting duplicate information for different buyers. This repetition, they said, disrupts production and incurs unnecessary costs.

Social audits play a key role in identifying labour and human rights risks and ensuring suppliers meet global or company-specific standards for ethical labour and supply chain practices.

The Better Work programme, a joint initiative of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), collaborates with governments, employers, workers, and global brands to improve labour conditions and boost competitiveness in the garment sector.

Launched in Bangladesh in 2015, the programme currently includes around 490 factories, benefiting approximately 1.3 million workers—51 per cent of whom are women—according to BWB Team Lead Syed Fazle Niaz.

Nasrin Akter, a senior operator and president of the Babylon Garments Workers Union, told The Financial Express that workers communicate their demands through the union, which negotiates with factory management.

She cited the recent announcement of a 10-day Eid-ul-Adha holiday on May 12, which came after workers requested the time off—two weeks before the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) issued similar guidance to its members.

Aziz emphasised Babylon’s commitment to fair labour practices, supported by a strong governance structure that encourages open dialogue in the workplace.

He noted that the BWB programme’s capacity-building initiatives have helped trade union leaders improve their critical thinking, debating, and listening skills—enhancing communication and ensuring better representation of worker interests.

Mr Niaz added that trade unions play a vital role in allowing workers to voice concerns democratically, ultimately contributing to long-term business sustainability.

munni_fe@yahoo.com