RMG Sustainability Council expands mandate beyond safety

The RMG Sustainability Council (RSC), a permanent safety monitoring body in Bangladesh's export-oriented garment industry, has decided to expand its scope of work.

From November 16, the tripartite body involving industry, brands, and unions will monitor issues such as employment contracts and separation, wages, leave and other benefits, the situation of freedom of association and collective bargaining for workers.

It will also look into whether there is child or forced labour, and instances of discrimination in the largest export-oriented industry, according to an RSC document.

The council currently focuses on issues related to the occupational safety and health of workers.

"If any worker lodges a complaint with the RSC, we will investigate," said RSC Managing Director Abdul Haque, citing a decision of the RSC board last month.

The RSC will support its tripartite stakeholders in addressing a wider range of workplace-related issues through an integrated, transparent, and credible platform, according to the document.

This expansion is designed to reduce duplication of efforts, streamline processes, and make complaint management fairer, faster, and more effective for all parties.

In the first phase, beginning November 16, 2025, the RSC will cover 58 brands and 1,185 factories. This phase will run for six months and establish the foundation for full implementation.

In the second phase, all remaining brands and factories will be brought under the purview of the RSC.

Following the departure of two international inspection agencies -- the Accord and the Alliance -- formed after the Rana Plaza building collapse in 2013, the RSC was established to conduct structural, electrical, fire, life safety, and boiler safety inspections, and to support and monitor remediation.

The RSC also conducts safety training and operates an independent occupational safety and health complaints mechanism that is available to workers in covered RMG factories.