Femnet e.V.

Corporate Responsibility (CSR) & Supply Chain Act

Legal aid app for workers in the clothing sector

Textile workers in Bangladesh often face enormous labour rights violations. Although the work situation improved slightly as a result of the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013, violations of labour law continue to be part of the daily lives of most workers. Complaint mechanisms do not work or are not available in the first place. Therefore, in July 2023, FEMNET launched a three-year project to develop a legal aid app for garment workers together with the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Service Trust (BLAST).

Although factories are generally obliged to set up complaint and redress mechanisms, only about 4% of factories offer their employees the possibility of a corresponding complaint tool. At the same time, employees often lack sufficient knowledge of their own rights. This is especially true for women. According to a FEMNET study, 81% of female employees do not know their rights or legal remedies.

Two smartphones with the rights app. © BLAST
The Sromik Jigaysha app (Workers Queries) is designed to simplify access to information and legal assistance for workers. The Sromik Jigaysha is aimed at textile workers, in particular sewers of ready-made goods, members of self-help groups and trade unions from four districts: the Fotulla and Cashara factory area in Narayanganj, the Jatrabari factory area in Dhaka, the Shagorika factory area in Chittagong, and the Konabari factory area in Gazipur. The app offers those affected an anonymous and comparatively easy way to present their complaints.

There is no comparable app that is tailored to the needs of workers and supports them in claiming their labour rights.

The app provides easy and low-threshold access to information on labour and human rights. In addition, a complaint channel is offered, which can be reached, for example, via messenger service or e-mail. Workers can also contact BLAST directly for legal assistance and advice. The aim is to make the legal system accessible to marginalised and discriminated persons.

According to BLAST, more than 80% of employees have access to a smartphone, so that around 5,000 people should benefit from the project. In the course of the WEARS project, which served to empower workers and trade unions in the RMG sector, the workers were reached through awareness-raising events and trainings within self-help groups in some districts. 16 support groups have been re-established and many trade unions have received training on how to use the app. Furthermore, a closed group was founded on Facebook via social media, aimed at workers from Gazipur and Chittagong, but also from Ashulia.

Advertising posters for the labour rights app of BLAST. © FEMNETNevertheless, there is still a need for expansion in the design and operation of the app. Cooperation with trade unions and self-help groups will also be further developed. For example, self-help groups and trade unions could act as multipliers, network with each other and/or be involved in the development of the app. These points will be addressed in the further course of the project.

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Our goals

1. Establishment of complaint mechanisms: With the Sromik Jigaysha app, the project is pursuing the establishment of an effective and simple complaint mechanism. The app is intended to simplify access to information and legal assistance for employees.
2. Training: Trade unions and self-help groups should be trained in how to use the app so that they can be used as multipliers. In addition, they should be more closely involved in the further development of the app.
3. Trade unions and participation: In this context, the trade unions can act as multipliers and thus encourage the affected parties to participate actively.