DHAKA, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS) – The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and ActionAid Bangladesh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work as strategic partner in advancing the sustainable transformation of Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) sector.

The partnership aims to ensure human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD), strengthen compliance capacity, and improve the overall quality of life of garment workers. Under the MoU, ActionAid Bangladesh will support the implementation of BGMEA’s Sustainable Strategic Vision 2030 as a strategic partner.

The MoU was signed today at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara. Senior Vice-President of BGMEA Inamul Haq Khan signed the agreement on behalf of BGMEA, while Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir signed on behalf of her organisation.

BGMEA Vice-President Md Rezwan Selim, Directors Nafis-Ud Doula, Sheikh Hossain Muhammad Mustafiz, and Rumana Rashid, along with senior officials of ActionAid Bangladesh, were present at the signing ceremony, said a press release.

According to the MoU, the key areas of collaboration include promoting women’s leadership in factories and ensuring a decent work environment for all; creating harassment- and discrimination-free workplaces while raising workers’ awareness of their rights; reducing carbon emissions through energy-efficient technologies and encouraging green industrialisation; ensuring occupational health, mental well-being, and access to social protection schemes for workers; enhancing workforce skills and introducing specialised monitoring tools and training aligned with international standards such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EUCSDD); and strengthening coordination among factory owners, workers, and buyers through regular reviews to maintain transparency.
Speaking at the ceremony, BGMEA Senior Vice-President Inamul Haq Khan said Bangladesh’s garment industry is no longer merely a production hub but has emerged as a trusted global partner in sustainable and ethical business practices. 

He expressed the hope that the partnership with ActionAid Bangladesh would further strengthen human rights and environmental standards in garment factories and elevate Bangladesh’s reputation and competitiveness in the international market.

ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir said sustainable growth of the garment industry is only possible by ensuring workers’ rights and environmental sustainability. She noted that the organisation aims to build an inclusive ecosystem with all stakeholders where transparency and human rights remain top priorities.

The MoU will remain effective for five years, from January 2026 to December 2030. 

Under the agreement, ActionAid Bangladesh will provide financial support for the implementation of the initiatives, while BGMEA will ensure infrastructure and logistical support across its member factories.