© Somo ⁇ Maartje Theuws
February 1, 2026 marked the fifth anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar. Many people fighting for democracy and a better future now live in the jungle or organize underground. It is often overlooked that workers in border regions have been resisting for decades – mostly invisibly and without recognition. Their stories show how diverse, persevering and courageous the struggle for freedom in Myanmar is.
Korail Dhaka 2024 © FEMNET | Sina Marx
A serious fire broke out in the informal district of Korail in Dhaka on 25 November. Around 1,500 homes were destroyed or damaged, and around 6,000 people lost their homes, including many textile workers. The fire hit the residents in an already tense situation, just a few days after an earthquake shook the region.
© FEMNET
At the end of October 2025, Bangladesh reached a significant milestone: The government has ratified ILO Convention No. 190, which prohibits violence and harassment in the world of work. In doing so, the country is committed to an internationally recognised intellectual property right for all workers.
© Green Bangla
On 14 October 2025, a major fire broke out in a chemical warehouse and an adjacent textile factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people died and many more were injured. The cause is still unclear – only: There is still a lack of basic safety standards.
On April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Savar, Bangladesh, collapsed. More than 1,100 people died and more than 2,500 were injured. For the first time, the world looked at the devastating conditions in the global fashion industry, but only for a moment. The grievances persist. How we make them visible and encourage companies to act.
© Kann Kaung / Myanmar Now
Myanmar is currently facing a double crisis: The devastating earthquake on 28 March 2025 claimed over 2,886 lives (as of 2 April 2025) and triggered a serious humanitarian catastrophe. Buildings, hospitals and roads are destroyed, communication routes are interrupted. For many activists and trade unionists, the earthquake is adding to an already threatening situation. They are not only victims of the destruction caused by the quake, but also continue to be the target of oppression and persecution by the military junta. Just hours after the quake, the junta continued its bombings in the Karen State, an area where many resistance fighters are present.
© FEMNET
Mandatory rules for the protection of women in factories, medical care for home workers: Trade Union Rights Centre (TURC) is committed to women's health in Indonesian shoe production. Our employees Daniela Bartsch and Johanna Thomas-Hergt visited Jakarta in November 2024.
© FEMNET
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the precarious working conditions of female migrant workers in the Indian textile industry. A study by the organization READ (Rights Education And Development Centre) documents the situation of migrant women in Tamil Nadu and shows worsening working conditions.
© Sina Marx ⁇ FEMNET
In November 2024, FEMNET staff travelled to Bangladesh to visit partner organisations and understand the situation on the ground. The political and social tensions in the country have left visible traces, but there are also first signs of hope and change.
© annlarich - depositphotos.com
FEMNET and more than 160 international human rights organisations call on the World Bank to take a stand on the increasing attacks by the Cambodian government on human rights defenders. The joint statement is addressed to World Bank President Ajay Banga and calls for a clear signal against the repression of civil society in Cambodia.
© Md. Shahinur Rahman
Since 20 August 2024, heavy rainfall has led to severe flooding in 11 districts of Bangladesh. According to the Ministry of Civil Protection, about 5.7 million people are affected, around 470,000 seek refuge in emergency shelters, and 23 people have been killed so far.
© deshsangbad.com
After weeks of protests with hundreds of dead, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned. Military chief Waker-Uz-Zaman announces a transitional government. Employees are concerned that they will not get their full July salary due to the government-declared rest days. European brands must now support workers in their supply chains.
