May Day Rally Highlights Tannery Workers’ Rights in Savar

Tannery employees of the Savar Tannery Industrial Estate and the Tannery Workers Union united in a rally and gathering on the occasion of International Labour Day 2026 to raise their collective voice for rights, safety, and dignity at work. The occasion demonstrated the workers’ ongoing struggle and solidarity in one of Bangladesh’s most important industrial sectors. In support of tannery workers, the Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF), Mondiaal FNV, Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Bangladesh, and ETI UK reaffirmed their commitment to promoting labor rights and enhancing working conditions.

Strengthening Workers’ Rights and Accountability

Workers emphasized their pressing demands, which included the right to organize, living wages, job security, safe and healthy working conditions, and the efficient application of labor laws. The necessity of Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) throughout supply chains was also strongly emphasized in order to guarantee that no worker experiences exploitation, hazardous conditions, or neglect.

• Providing tannery workers with livable salaries, stable employment, and secure working conditions
• Bolstering the application of labor rules and defending the freedom to organize
• Promoting Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) within supply networks
• Encouraging responsibility to stop exploitation and risky behavior
• Strengthening unity with tannery employees

The SMEP Programme, which encourages ethical business practices, worker protection, and sustainable development in the tannery industry through group activities and social discourse, supports this initiative.