New Study Shows Massive Chemical Contamination in Bangladesh's Textile Sector Our partner organisations HEJSupport and ESDO have published a new study on chemical pollution in communities around textile factories in Bangladesh. As part of a community-based monitoring, soil, water, sewage and hair samples were analyzed. The results show a significant exposure to long-lasting and harmful chemicals as well as heavy metals. Details Published: 12 December 2025 Read more …
Korail Dhaka 2024 © FEMNET ⁇ Sina Marx Fire in the informal district of Korail in Dhaka – thousands of textile workers homeless 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. Details Published: 28 November 2025 Read more …
© FEMNET Bangladesh ratifies ILO Convention 190 - milestone against violence in the workplace 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. Details Published: 19 November 2025 Read more …
© BLAST How an App Helps Women in Bangladesh's Textile Factories Get Their Right Bangladesh is one of the most important production sites of the global fashion industry – and at the same time a place where millions of workers have to fight for fair conditions on a daily basis. Our partner BLAST (Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust) has developed an app that gives textile workers easy access to information, advice and legal assistance. Details Published: 11 November 2025 Read more …
© Green Bangla Deadly factory fire in Bangladesh: 16 dead and many unanswered questions 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. Details Published: 23 October 2025 Read more …
How we remind companies of their due diligence obligations 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. Details Published: 22 April 2025 Read more …
© Sina Marx ⁇ FEMNET Bangladesh in transition: Impressions of a trip in November 2024 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. Details Published: 04 December 2024 Read more …
© Md. Shahinur Rahman Flood disaster in Bangladesh: How climate change threatens the textile industry 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. Details Published: 29 August 2024 Read more …
© deshsangbad.com Uncertain times for textile workers after political upheaval in Bangladesh 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. Details Published: 06 August 2024 Read more …
© Pieter van de Boogert Eleven years after Rana Plaza: Textile factories safer, triggers of the disaster remain Press release of the Clean Clothes Campaign 22.04.2024 Wednesday, April 24, 2024, marks the 11th anniversary of the worst tragedy in the fashion industry: the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which killed 1,138 people. On this occasion, Artemisa Ljarja from the Campaign for Clean Clothes Germany draws the following conclusion: "Although unprecedented progress has been made in improving safety in factories since then, the brutal crackdown on the protests for the increase in the minimum wage shows that fashion brands producing in Bangladesh still do not ensure that basic rights are respected in their supply chains." Details Published: 23 April 2024 Read more …
