Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry stands as a cornerstone of its economy, employing approximately 4.5 million individuals, with women constituting almost 60% of this workforce. As a global sourcing hub, the sector has powered export-led growth for decades. However, the industry now stands at a critical juncture—facing challenges such as an acute shortage of skilled workers, production losses, and rising global expectations on ethical and sustainable practices.

This panel will explore the intersection of worker rights, upskilling, and just transition—a framework that aims to harmonize economic growth with environmental sustainability and social equity. Embracing this approach offers Bangladesh a pathway to safeguard its development trajectory, generate quality employment, and unlock access to new markets in an evolving global landscape.

A key aspect of this journey is addressing the workforce capability gap. Production losses estimated at 15–20% due to a lack of skilled workers highlight the urgent need for comprehensive training initiatives. Panelists will discuss strategies to scale up capacity-building programs, particularly in areas such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Quality Management Systems, HACCP, and essential soft skills—all vital to maintaining competitiveness amidst automation and industry transformation.

In this context, the introduction of a Unified Code of Conduct is also gaining prominence. By promoting standardized, transparent, and efficient labor and social compliance frameworks across the sector, this unified approach can help reduce audit fatigue, reinforce worker protections, and enable stronger collaboration among brands, manufacturers, and regulators.

Participants attending this panel will gain insights into how Bangladesh can build a future-ready workforce, uphold labor rights, and implement just transition principles. The session aims to equip industry leaders, global brands, and policymakers with practical strategies to navigate the complexities of economic growth, sustainability, and social justice—ensuring that Bangladesh remains a competitive and responsible sourcing destination.