Bangladesh Labour Foundation

Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF) is a non-government; non-profit; non-partisan organization represents the interest of the working people in Bangladesh. BLF works for the welfare of workers, working people, professionals, women, children, employee and families by undertaking various programs and projects. We share a common determination to organize, to defend human rights and labour standards in Bangladesh, and to promote the growth of trade unions for the benefit of all working men and women and their families. BLF is committed to protect of the rights of all workers, create a productive and economic independent society that’s free from poverty, discrimination and where people can exercise their basic social and human rights, social justice through activities that focus on youth and women, children and working people of Bangladesh. BLF established in 2001 and Registered with NGO Affairs Bureau, Department of Social Welfare and Directorates of Youth and Sports.

Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF) is a national labour rights organization committed to promoting decent work, social justice, and sustainable development for all workers in Bangladesh. As a national labour rights organization, BLF has played a pivotal role in shaping labour policies, enhancing workplace conditions, and empowering workers across multiple sectors. Since our inception in 2001, we have worked alongside trade unions, civil society, government agencies, and international partners to ensure workers’ voices are heard and their rights are protected.

BLF works across formal and informal sectors, including ready-made garments (RMG), leather, footwear, construction, transport, domestic work, agriculture, home-based work, and emerging sectors such as light engineering, plastic, waste management and recycling. We believe in a just transition where human rights, climate justice, and inclusive development go hand in hand.

What We do

Policy Advocacy & Legal Reforms
Worker Empowerment & Trade Union Strengthening
Corporate Accountability & Ethical Supply Chains
Sector-Specific Labour Rights Interventions
Social Protection & Economic Security
Research, Awareness & Campaign

Policy Advocacy & Legal Reforms

We raise awareness and build capacity to address child labor through educational campaigns and training programs. Our initiatives empower communities, organizations, and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to create lasting change and combat exploitation at the local, national, and global levels.

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Worker Empowerment & Trade Union Strengthening

We work to strengthen trade unions by providing capacity-building support, resources, and training. By empowering unions, we enhance their ability to advocate for workers’ rights, improve labor conditions, and promote fair and equitable practices within industries, contributing to a stronger workforce.

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Corporate Accountability & Ethical Supply Chains

Our skill development and income-generating activities (IGA) training programs help individuals build sustainable livelihoods. By equipping people with essential skills, we reduce vulnerability to exploitation and create opportunities for economic independence, fostering a path towards self-reliance and prosperity.

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Sector-Specific Labour Rights Interventions

Through advocacy and lobbying efforts, we influence policy and decision-making processes to strengthen laws and regulations protecting children and workers. We work with governments, businesses, and organizations to promote child labor-free environments and ensure the protection of vulnerable populations.

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Social Protection & Economic Security

We organize forums and networks to facilitate collaboration between stakeholders in the fight against child labor. These platforms enable the sharing of resources, experiences, and strategies to strengthen collective efforts, fostering partnerships that drive meaningful change at local and global levels.

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Research, Awareness & Campaign

Our research and studies provide valuable insights into the causes, trends, and solutions for child labor and modern slavery. By conducting in-depth research, we inform policies, raise awareness, and advocate for effective interventions that tackle the root causes of exploitation.

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Feature Projects

Addressing Modern Slavery in the Bangladesh RMG Sector: Closing the evidence gap and informing solutions

Modern slavery involves exploitation where individuals cannot refuse or leave work due to threats, coercion, or abuse. Common forms include of modern slavery include Human Trafficking, Forced Labor, Debt Bondage, ...

Bangladesh’s RMG and Leather sectors are key to its economy, contributing significantly to exports, employment and foreign exchange. However, challenges persist in ensuring decent work, sustainability and human rights due ...

Capacity Advancement and Promotion for Trade Unions’ Advocacy in Just Transition

“Just Transition,” originating in the 1980s from US trade unions advocating worker protection amid environmental policies, now plays a key role in climate action. It ensures a fair shift to ...

Implementation of Minimum Wage in the Tannery Sector through Advocacy, Awareness, Capacity, Strategy and Monitoring

The leather industry, has contributed greatly to Bangladesh’s overall economic development. It possesses one of the oldest leather businesses worldwide, considerably impacting its economy by satisfying 10% of global leather ...

Improving labour standards by eliminating child labour which leads Local RMG Industries to get recognition for a decent and violence free work environment

Bangladesh is the second highest RMG exporter in the world and contributing 7.87% of the national GDP and 81.29% of the country’s exports in FY2024. Beyond exports, the local RMG ...

Establishing an effective Social Compliance platform and ensuring labour standards for workers towards to achieve LWG certification in the Leather value chain in Bangladesh

The leather industry is one of Bangladesh’s oldest and renowned sectors. Since 1960s, it has grown on a large scale. Known for producing high-quality leather and leather goods, the sector ...

Promoting decent work and organizing for the targeted Home-Based RMG Workers (HBRMGWs) engaged in formal RMG

At this moment Bangladesh’s finest and top export source is the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry. The Garment industry has grown to be the mainstay of the nation’s economy, and the ...

Improving Environmental and Social Conditions in the Bangladesh Savar Tannery Estate

The leather industry in the second-largest foreign exchange earner for Bangladesh with directly employing approximately 600,000 individuals and an additional 300,000 indirectly. It makes up 0.5% of GDP and 4% ...

Multi-actor partnership for improved due diligence implementation in the textile sector via worker- and community-based monitoring

The ready-made garment (RMG) industry is the topnotch and the most prestigious industrial sector in Bangladesh. Since its establishment in the 1980s, Bangladesh’s garment industry has grown to become its ...

Assessment of Technological Transition in Apparel Sector of Bangladesh and Its Impact on the Workers
This research study on the impact of automation on workers is crucial in the context of several global and national commitments and obligations. At the global level, the study contributes…
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Child labour situation in Keraniganj local readymade garments
The study was commissioned by Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF). The study was commissioned to identify the numbers of child labour including their socio-economic background. It also tried to depict their…
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Assessment on the Socio-economic Condition of Home-Based Ready-Made Garment Workers (HBRMGWs) in the RMG Supply Chain
HBRMGWs exist in the RMG supply chain (tier 1 to tier 4) including export-oriented RMG and Subcontracting factories focusing woven and knitting. This study assesses the socio-economic conditions, workplace environments,…
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Leather from Bangladesh: Indecent work and hidden supply chain
The Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) is publishing this paper in the context of the Together for Decent Leather programme, drawing on earlier publications by the Decent Leather consortium.…
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Natinal Plan of Action (Tripartite)

National Plan of Action (NPA) towards achieving Social Compliance in the Tannery industry is a time-bound initiative taken by the government.

Natinal Plan of Action to Eliminate Child Labour From Keraniganj Informal RMG Industries

BANGLADESH LABOUR FOUNDATION (BLF) WORKS FOR ACHIEVING THE

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

BANGLADESH LABOUR FOUNDATION (BLF) WORKS FOR ACHIEVING THE

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Latest News and Events

Plenary Session- No One Left Behind: Climate Justice for Informal Workers

September 25, 2025

Plenary session on No One Left Behind: Climate Justice for Informal Workers was moderated by Badal Khan (Member,NCCWE), and featured a keynote presentation by Mostafiz Ahmed, Associate Professor, Jagannath University, Bangladesh. Panelists included Sekandar Ali Mina (Safety and Rights Society, SRS)...

Plenary Session on Digitalization, Automation & AI: Preparing Workers for Tomorrow

September 25, 2025

Plenary session on Digitalization, Automation & AI: Preparing Workers for Tomorrow was moderated by Ahsan Habib Bulbul, Joint Coordinator, Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), and featured a keynote by Dr. Ananya Raihan, Chairperson of iSocial. Panelists included Badrul Alam (Bangladesh...

Plenary Session- Fair Climate Fair Future: Advancing Climate Justice and Just Transition

September 24, 2025

The plenary session about Fair Climate Fair Future: Advancing Climate Justice and Just Transition was oderated by Naimul Ahsan Jewel, Member Secretary, NCCWE, the session brought together leaders from labour, development, agriculture, energy, and international organizations to discuss how...

Study Dissemination Session: Just Transition Convention Bangladesh 2025

September 24, 2025

The Study Dissemination session of the Just Transition Convention Bangladesh 2025 on ‘Climate Change Impacts on the RMG, Leather, Leather Goods and Footwear Sectors: Implications for Workers and Industry with Pathways to a Just Transition’-showcased critical research on climate...

Opening Session: Just Transition Convention Bangladesh 2025

September 24, 2025

The Just Transition Convention Bangladesh 2025 opened on 24 September 2025 in a solemn and hopeful spirit with the National Anthem of Bangladesh, uniting government, trade unions, employers, and international partners around a simple promise: no worker will be left behind in the climate, energy, and...

Playlist

10 Videos

Child Labour in Keraniganj

“National Occupational Health and Safety Day 2024

🤔 What is Just Transition?

Local Market RMG of Bangladesh

World Day Against Child Labour 2023

Life of Tannery workers Bangladesh

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2023

Workers in Savar Tannery Estate, Bangladesh

Child Labour in Keraniganj

South Asia: A Hub for Leather Production 🌏👢🧥

Stop Violence and Harassement Against Women in the Workplace

Women around the world are disproportionately impacted by gender based violence in the workplace BLF has taken different activities to ensure women’s rights, gender equality and a safe workplace for them.

Bangladesh Labour Foundation

Bangladesh Labour Foundation

What We do

Feature Projects

Research and Study

Natinal Plan of Action (Tripartite)

BANGLADESH LABOUR FOUNDATION (BLF) WORKS FOR ACHIEVING THE

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

BANGLADESH LABOUR FOUNDATION (BLF) WORKS FOR ACHIEVING THE

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Latest News and Events

Multimedia

Playlist

Stop Violence and Harassement Against Women in the Workplace

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