A networking meeting was held with youth and women trade union leaders of Gazipur and Tongi at Bandhan Community Center in Tongi on October 5, 2023 under the initiative of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies-BILS and in cooperation with GIZ. Shamsunnahar Bhuiyan MP, Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Labour and Employment spoke as the chief guest in this event organized under the chairmanship of Sramik-Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) Joint Coordinator Md. Nurul Amin. BILS Director Nazma Yesmin delivered welcome speech on the occasion. BILS Project Coordinator and Deputy Director Md Yousuf Al Mamun presented the project introduction in power point. Among others, President of Gazipur Journalists’ Union – Ataur Rahman, President of Tongi Press Club Sheikh Muhammad Shahidullah, General Secretary of Gazipur Journalists’ Union – MA Salam Shanto, former General Secretary of Gazipur Press Club – Md. Moniruzzaman and youth and women’s trade union leaders from various areas spoke.
In her speech, the chief guest said that by developing the capacity of garment workers in setting social and environmental standards, they should develop their leadership in this regard so that they can make the people of the society aware of it. At the same time, she pointed out that the national level trade unions also have the responsibility to raise the issue of social and environmental standards of workers at the policy-making level.
In the event, the initiative was taken to form a network in Gazipur and Tongi and work as a team in three groups among all those present in the initial action plan.