RSC expands role to address wages, labour rights, and workplace issues
Business Report :
The RMG Sustainability Council (RSC) will now handle all workplace-related complaints in Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) sector, marking a major expansion from its previous focus on occupational safety and health (OSH) issues.
A notification signed by RSC Managing Director Abdul Haque confirmed that the council’s board of directors approved the decision on last week of October, and the new Comprehensive Complaints Mechanism (CCM) will officially come into effect on November 16.
The initiative aims to create a unified and transparent platform involving factory owners, workers, and brands, where workplace issues can be resolved quickly, fairly, and credibly. While the RSC previously focused only on OSH complaints, the CCM will now address a wider range of concerns, including unfair dismissal or contract-related problems, wages, allowances and leave issues, freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, as well as complaints related to child labour, forced labour, and discrimination. This broader scope reflects the sector’s growing need for a structured grievance resolution system, particularly as Bangladesh’s garment industry continues to employ millions of workers and attract global brands.
The new system will be implemented in two phases. From November 16, 58 brands and 1,185 factories will come under the CCM, while the remaining factories and brands will be included six months later. The RSC emphasized that the active participation of partner factories will be crucial for the initiative’s success, and it will provide guidance and support during the transition period to ensure smooth implementation.
Abdul Haque described the initiative as a “major step towards ensuring fairness, safety, and transparency in the workplace,” adding that the council is committed to working collaboratively with factory owners, workers, and brands to make grievance redress easier, faster, and more credible.
Industry experts say this move could help improve compliance with international labour standards, strengthen Bangladesh’s reputation as a responsible garment exporter, and reduce workplace disputes that affect both production and brand trust. The RSC’s expansion comes at a time when global buyers are increasingly monitoring labour practices, making the CCM a timely and important initiative to align the sector with international compliance and ethical standards.