Zakia Sultana serves as the Joint General Secretary of the Bangladesh Independent Garment Workers Union Federation (BIGUF). She plans and facilitates the education of federation affiliates and solidarity members about union and federation constitutions, law and rights programs, and other trainings. She works to make space for women workers to be leaders and to bring their voices to the negotiation table. Zakia has also studied law at Sonargoan University in Dhaka. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Capacity Building for RMG Workers on Online Trade Union Registration and Unfair Labor Practices

Zakia conducted two in-person trainings to inform 200 workers in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh about their rights and the online trade union registration system. The first training focused on the online trade registration application process, and the second training focused on raising awareness about unfair labor practices. As most workers have little to no knowledge about the legally required documents needed for registration, her project gave them the knowledge and tools to take the steps to apply. Zakia’s trainings built a community of union and factory workers from various locations across Bangladesh and allowed participants to raise awareness about unfair labor practices and submit trade union applications. Participants from two factories are even going to apply to the Department of Labor.

 

“This training was very helpful for me. Now I can raise my voice against any unfair labor practice issues in my factory if any incident occurs.” - Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Zakia was a participant in the IVLP Project Implementing Labor Law in Bangladesh, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center.

Zakia's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "Meeting with the Department of Labor, Solidarity Center, Garment Workers Center, the International Labor Organization, and Workers United and Community Legal Service about the workers' situation in the US and process to ensure the workers' rights inspired me about how to ensure workers' rights in Bangladesh."

U.S. Communities Visited

Los Angeles, CA; Washington, DC; New York City, NY; Philadelphia, PA

Country: Bangladesh

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