Bangladesh PM resigns following unrest

  • ETI
Students and peoples shout slogans during a protest rally as they demand justice for victims arrested and killed in the recent nationwide violence over job quotas, in Dhaka, on August 3, 2024. Photo credit: Shutterstock.. Photo credit: Shutterstock.

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned after a fresh wave of protests on Sunday. This unrest follows weeks of mass protests met with a communication blackout and violent repression. Clashes between protesters and  the police and military forces have led to the death of approximately 300 people in total and injured thousands.

Sheikh Hasina has now left the country, and the army has assumed control intending to establish an interim government. While some internet and phone connectivity has been restored this remains unreliable. A general holiday has been declared with garment factories closed until Wednesday. We are expecting the interim government to be established in the next few hours and to announce a set of measures from tomorrow. What follows will undoubtedly have impacts for people across the country, with immediate implications for workers and global supply chains.

Companies sourcing from or operating in Bangladesh should:

  • Engage with their suppliers to understand the impacts of the transition, factory closures and recent unrest.  
  • Work with their suppliers to ensure that workers’ safety is prioritised, particularly where workers are expected to travel to and from work.
  • Adjust their expectations and purchasing practices to adapt to these exceptional circumstances. 
  • Agree on order adjustments that are manageable and realistic, and in line with ETI’s recommended responsible purchasing practices. 

ETI will continue to monitor this situation, assess potential and actual risks, and the steps companies should be taking to support their suppliers and workers during this period. We encourage all companies to conduct enhanced human rights due diligence, maintain responsible purchasing practices, and work with suppliers to adapt to the evolving situation.

We have been in contact with staff, members, and partners operating in and sourcing from Bangladesh to ascertain their safety and support on next steps. We will keep our members informed on the evolving situation and expectations of responsible business conduct. Our thoughts are with the people of Bangladesh and we hope that calm can be reached quickly.

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