Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF), with technical assistance from the Labour Administration and Working
Conditions (LAWC) Cluster of the ILO Country Office for Bangladesh, organized an advocacy session on the
Roadmap for Promoting Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) and
Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) in the leather sector on
26 February 2026 at the MCCI Conference Hall, Motijheel, Dhaka. The initiative was supported
under the Team Europe Initiative (TEI)—a joint effort of the European Union, Denmark, the Netherlands,
and Sweden—on Decent Work in Bangladesh.
Opening & Facilitation
Mr. Farooq Ahmed, Secretary‑General & CEO, BEF, welcomed participants and underscored the
importance of RBC and HRDD for a sustainable business ecosystem. Mr. Mahmudul Islam Khan,
Senior Programme Officer, ILO Country Office for Bangladesh, outlined the objectives and delivered the keynote
presentation on the roadmap. Mr. Joha Jamilur Rahman, Head of Training, BEF, moderated the
group discussion, and Mr. Md. Saidul Islam concluded the session with key takeaways and a vote
of thanks, acknowledging the valuable inputs from all participants.
Key Messages
- RBC and HRDD strengthen risk management, reinforce compliance readiness, and support international market access.
- Documented policies, clear roles, and supply‑chain due diligence improve transparency and credibility.
- Practical, phased adoption—starting with policy commitment, risk assessment, and remediation channels—helps firms operationalize HRDD without disruption.
Participants
A total of 21 participants attended, representing 14 leather sector companies and
the Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB).
Photo Gallery
