Following Bangladesh’s signing of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention 190, employers will now be held to higher standards of gender sensitivity and workplace safety, according to industry leaders.

The country became the second in Asia to ratify the convention, which seeks to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work. It will come into effect in Bangladesh early next year, covering both formal and informal sectors, including the garment industry.

In preparation, the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has developed compliance guidelines and trained 100 instructors to raise awareness across workplaces, said Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Executive President of BKMEA.

Factory owners at the seminar noted that the convention broadens employer responsibility, especially within the global supply chain. They cautioned that gender-based violence in other sectors could still affect Bangladesh’s garment industry if the government is seen as failing to act.

Mr Ehsan highlighted a key provision holding employers accountable for incidents during workers’ commutes. “If workers face harassment or violence while travelling to or from work, factory owners may still face penalties,” he said.

He also expressed concern about the potential misuse of the convention by foreign countries. “Why haven’t Japan, Korea, Malaysia, or India signed it? That’s a question we should reflect on,” he added.

The seminar, organised under the STITCH–BKMEA collaboration, brought together representatives from the Fair Wear Foundation, Ethical Trading Initiative, and Mondiaal FNV to discuss practical steps for implementing gender-sensitive workplace standards.