Strengthening human rights and environmental due diligence in the RMG sector

Title:

Strengthening human rights and environmental due diligence in the RMG sector

Development Partner:

GIZ

Duration:

01 January 2023 to 30 September 2024

Objectives:

• To provide dedicated support and consultancy to the BKMEA member factories on European due diligences legislations through BKMEA Due Diligence Unit. 
• To strengthen the capacity of factory management on internal grievance mechanism.
• To ensure the factory-level capacity development, master trainers will share the learning, relevant references and context of due diligence and grievance mechanism in the workplace.

Description:

Against the background of global social and environmental challenges, fair and environmentally friendly products are increasingly demanded by consumers and governments in importing countries. There is a move away from voluntary sustainability initiatives towards mandatory legislation. Several European countries have passed human rights and environmental due diligence legislation in recent years. At the European level, the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive has already approved. This would lead to mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence requirements for companies all over Europe. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011) and its definition of due diligence processes form the basis for this legislation. 

With many large fashion brands based in Europe, the RMG sector in Bangladesh is affected by due diligence legislation. It is expected that brands and retailers subject to due diligence legislation in Germany and elsewhere will intensify their requirements for suppliers e.g., regarding risk analysis, supply chain transparency or grievance mechanisms. Producers that adopt the upcoming changes early will be prepared for future business interaction with German and European companies. 

 The HREDD project will strengthen the implementation of human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) in the RMG sector of Bangladesh by: 

-   Setting up a dedicated Unit i.e. Responsible Business Hub to support factories and provide advice.

-  Providing training to factories on internal grievance mechanisms.

Through the RBH BKMEA will provide following services to the member factories:

1. Advisory Services : RBH-BKMEA is committed to provide support to its member factories to identify, prevent, mitigate actual and potential adverse impacts to people, planet and society associated with an enterprise's own operations, supply chain, suppliers and other business relationships - in line with international due diligence standards.
2. Training: RBH-BKMEA will provide training to the member factories on Business and Human Rights due diligence process and Grievance Mechanism.

Awareness Development: RBH-BKMEA will create a Knowledge and awareness platform on German Supply Chain Act due diligence requirement. Relevant articles, tips, reports, brochures and other relevant information will be provided to the BKMEA member units.

Achievements:

• TOT to BKMEA pool trainers on Grievance Handling Mechanism has completed.
• TOT to BKMEA pool trainers on German Supply Chain Due Diligence initiative has completed.
• 2 Days Training on Grievance Mechanism (8 batches) has Completed.
• 2 Days Training on German Supply Chain Due Diligence (01 Batch for Dhaka Zone) for factory management has completed.

Progress:

Ongoing