The government has proposed the establishment of a Tripartite Consultative Council (TCC) for the tannery sector to promote social dialogue and ensure the sustainable development of Bangladesh’s leather industry.

The proposal came at a discussion titled “Status Quo of the Tannery Sector in Bangladesh”, organised by the Leather Development Forum (LDF) in Dhaka.

Dr Md Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, attended as the chief guest and stressed the need for a Sector Development Strategic Plan to guide the industry’s future.

Omar Md Imrul Mohsin, Inspector General (Additional Secretary) of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), who chaired the session, said forming a TCC is among the government’s priorities to enhance coordination among workers, employers, and authorities. He said the platform would help address policy gaps, promote decent work, and reinforce compliance across the industry.

The event, moderated by Md Firoz Alam, Head of the GoTan Project of GIZ Bangladesh, featured a presentation by Matiur Rahman, Project Director and Joint Inspector General of DIFE, who shared insights from Turkey’s tannery operations.

Participants from government bodies, industry, development partners, and civil society discussed environmental compliance, occupational safety, and workers’ welfare, calling for stronger collaboration to make Bangladesh’s leather sector globally competitive and sustainable.