Media Briefing on Forced Labour

Forced and child labour continue to exist in the hidden layers of Bangladesh’s apparel industry, especially in subcontracted and home-based production units.

Study reveals that nearly 80% of child labourers work in subcontracted or mixed-contract factories, and 98% of them are not in school. Many work more than 36 hours a week, often to support their families facing financial hardship.

To share these important findings and raise public awareness, Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF) held a media briefing in Dhaka, engaging journalists and media professionals to highlight the urgent need for collective action. Journalists play a crucial role in bringing hidden issues like forced and child labour to public attention and ensuring that policymakers and industry leaders take meaningful steps.

The report, titled “Forced Labour and Child Labour in Bangladesh’s Apparel Industry: Documenting Risks and Informing Solutions,” calls for the introduction of a living wage, access to education for children, and the development of an action plan for safer, regulated work environments.

This study was conducted by Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF) in association with the Rights Lab, University of Nottingham with support from GoodWeave International and funding from the Government of the United Kingdom.