Speakers at a coalition-building and advocacy meeting, organised by the Tannery Workers Union (TWU) and the Bangladesh office of the Global Solidarity Center, urged the government to implement labour compliance and support the local tanning industry.
The speakers said that women at the tanneries are leaving their jobs over the issues, and blamed tannery owners for forcing experienced workers out of the sector with the intention of hiring lower-paid workers.
The TWU asserted that improving social issues in the leather industry would increase the scope of product diversification and attract buyers from developed countries such as the U.S. and in the EU.
It would also pave the path towards Leather Working Group certification for many tanneries, which will open the door for exports to these countries, the speakers said.
Source: United News of Bangladesh
