Learning, Progress, and Future Directions for a Responsible Leather Industry in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Labour Foundation, as a consortium partner of the SMEP Project, in collaboration with project consortium members, successfully organized the dissemination event titled “Improving Environmental & Social Conditions in the Savar Tannery Estate” at La Vita, Lakeshore Grand, Gulshan, Dhaka.
Improving Environmental and Social Conditions in the Leather Sector
Over the past 21 months, the SMEP Project has contributed to strengthening environmental compliance, improving occupational safety and workers’ rights, and promoting sustainable business practices within the Savar Tannery Estate. The event highlighted key progress, challenges, and opportunities for building a more responsible and competitive leather industry.
Key Discussions
- Strengthening social compliance through the establishment of Safety Committees and Anti-Harassment Committees (AHC) to promote workplace dialogue and accountability
- Enhancing workers’ capacity through technical, occupational safety, and compliance-focused training for more than 1,500 workers
- Improving environmental management through assessments, Corrective Action Plans (CAP), and better chemical and wastewater management practices
- Addressing workers’ concerns related to PPE availability, occupational safety, wages, and workplace challenges
- Identifying policy gaps, CETP-related challenges, and the need for stronger institutional coordination among stakeholders
The event concluded with a shared commitment to advancing sustainable transformation in Bangladesh’s leather sector through stronger governance, continuous social dialogue, environmental responsibility, and collective action among workers, employers, and institutions.
