One Year of the Child Rights Action Hub Bangladesh: Reflections from the CEO

Photo: The Centre's CEO Ines Kaempfer speaking at the one year anniversary event of the Child Rights Action Hub Bangladesh in Dhaka on May 19, 2025

As we marked the one-year anniversary of the Child Rights Action Hub Bangladesh in Dhaka on May 19, I was struck by the strength of the international community’s interest in – and commitment to – tackling child labour in Bangladesh. That level of engagement is both remarkable and deeply encouraging.

Equally important was the readiness shown by the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry to take action on child labour in the lower tiers of supply chains. This willingness is an important step forward. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past year, it’s that meaningful change is possible.

The first year of the Action Hub has shown that with collaboration and perseverance, progress can be made. We saw it in the factories that stepped up to engage. We saw it in the story of Karupannya Rangpur Ltd. And we saw it in the faces of the young workers pictured in the room and via the videos – each a reminder of the very real impact this initiative can have.

But this is only the beginning. As many rightly pointed out during the event, there’s still a long road ahead. We need stronger, sustained support to ensure this work goes deeper and further. For companies sourcing from Bangladesh, addressing child labour cannot be a side project; it must be a core priority.

With calls to end child labour spanning close to 30 years, it is no longer acceptable to keep shifting the problem to lower tiers of supply chains. The RMG sector can, and must, become a driving force in the fight against child labour. Doing so is not only possible, it is necessary. For the future of these children. For the future of the industry. And for a more just and responsible global economy.

Let’s not waste the momentum we’ve built. Let’s build on it.

Highlights from the Child Rights Action Hub Bangladesh 2025 anniversary event