The Ethical Trading Initiative, a platform of trade unions, non-governmental organisations and companies, has urged global buyers to remain engaged with Bangladeshi suppliers to fully understand the consequences of transitions, factory shutdowns and recent unrests.
The ETI in a statement issued on Monday said that Bangladesh鈥檚 prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday following a fresh wave of protests on Sunday, which came after weeks of mass demonstrations, communication blackouts and violent repression.
It said that Sheikh Hasina has left the country and the army had taken control, planning to set up an interim government soon.
While some internet and phone services are back, they are still unreliable and a general holiday has been declared and garment factories are closed until Wednesday, the statement said.
The ETI said that businesses involved in sourcing from Bangladesh or those operating in the country needed to collaborate with their suppliers to grasp the aftermath of transitions, factory shutdowns and recent disturbances.
They should work together to prioritise worker safety, especially of those commuting to and from work, it said.
The ETI mentioned that companies should also adjust their expectations and purchasing practices to suit these unique circumstances, ensuring that order adjustments were practical and aligned with responsible purchasing practices recommended by the ETI.
The platform also said that it would continue to monitor this situation, assess potential and actual risks, and draw up steps that companies should be taking to support their suppliers and workers during this period.
鈥榃e encourage all companies to conduct enhanced human rights due diligence, maintain responsible purchasing practices and work with suppliers to adapt to the evolving situation,鈥� the statement read.