Yesterday, the Songjog Foundation hosted an impactful Roundtable Session at Six Seasons Hotel, Gulshan, Dhaka focusing on inclusive workforce transformation and creating opportunities for visually impaired individuals in the RMG sector. The event brought together industry leaders, HR experts, ESG consultants, and advocates for disability rights to discuss strategies for a more equitable and accessible work environment.
Sarwar Hossain, Ethical Compliance Manager at Marks & Spencer Plc, noted that global buyers are increasingly embedding disability inclusion within ethical compliance frameworks. He emphasized that factories demonstrating structured approaches to employing persons with disabilities are being viewed more favorably, as inclusion is no longer optional but a growing expectation across international supply chains.
Marks & Spencer employs 4,300 individuals with physical disabilities across its global supply chain, with 281 new employees added in the last year alone, demonstrating how large RMG brands can actively create opportunities and set benchmarks for inclusive workforce practices.
Abdullah Al Masum, Head of Compliance at Indochine International Bangladesh, highlighted that disability inclusion should be driven by understanding and training rather than treated as a standalone CSR initiative. He explained that identifying workplace risks, removing operational barriers, and providing tailored training can enable persons with disabilities to contribute effectively in textile manufacturing environments.
From an infrastructure perspective, Tim Zahid Hossain, Adviser for People & Culture at Shin Shin Group, shared that Afghanistan is now developing every new infrastructure project with accessibility considerations in mind. He stressed that integrating accessibility from the design stage ensures long-term sustainability and significantly reduces the need for costly retrofitting in the future.
Ahmed Javed Jamal, General Secretary of Songjog Foundation and Deputy Managing Director of Silkflex Bangladesh Limited, emphasized the importance of structured job assessments to identify roles suitable for visually impaired workers. He noted that with proper evaluation, persons with disabilities can perform efficiently in roles such as quality inspection, light operations, reception, and communication-based functions.
Mohammad Monower Hossain, Head of Sustainability at TEAM Group, pointed out that inclusive employment aligns directly with SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth. He added that adaptive training programs have already demonstrated success in enabling persons with disabilities to integrate into factory operations without compromising productivity.
He emphasized that the most urgent priority is conducting proper assessments to identify which roles are best suited for persons with physical disabilities, ensuring the right individual is placed in the right position.
Vashkar Bhattacharjee, Consultant on Accessibility at Aspire to Innovate (a2i), shared his personal journey, noting that after completing his studies in Japan, he returned to Bangladesh but was unable to secure a government job. He later worked in the NGO sector before continuing his professional journey at a2i, where he has been contributing through his talent, dedication, and innovation.
He emphasized that true talent cannot be suppressed and will always find a way to emerge. Reflecting on social perceptions, he pointed out that people are often judged at a glance, based on appearances. As a visually impaired individual, he noted that what he has been able to achieve remains beyond the reach of many, even those with full vision.
Vashkar Bhattacharjee highlighted the importance of accessibility, inclusive thinking, and capability-based assessment, leaving participants with valuable insights and inspiration.
From an industry association standpoint, Mohammed Sohel, Director at BGMEA, stated that factory owners have a responsibility to proactively create awareness and opportunities for persons with disabilities, emphasizing that inclusion should be viewed as a collective responsibility rather than a compliance burden.
Ziaur Rahman, General Manager, Human Resources at Hameem Group, shared that helpline and hotline roles offer suitable employment opportunities for persons with physical disabilities, enabling them to communicate efficiently with other employees.
Akm Saifur Rahman Farhad, Vice President of BGBA, stressed that awareness must begin at the family and community level. He noted that parents should be encouraged to see their children with disabilities as future contributors to the workforce, capable of becoming skilled and responsible employees.
Several speakers also highlighted the role of media in shaping perceptions around disability inclusion. Participants noted that while many RMG factories have initiated inclusive employment practices, these efforts often go unnoticed, limiting broader replication across the sector.
The discussion reinforced that disability inclusion is not about charity, but about responsibility, dignity, and sustainable workforce planning. Participants agreed that meaningful progress will require coordinated efforts involving brands, manufacturers, policymakers, media, and civil society.
Other speakers included Md. Jaidur Rahman – AGM, Business Process Development, Centro Tex Ltd.; Ehsanul Karim – Executive Account Management, Synopsys, Inc.; Engr. Asif Hossain Rochy – ESG Consultant; Arc. Jalal Ahmed – Chairman, Songjog Foundation–Bangladesh; William Gong – Managing Director, Bengal CKD Precision Mechanical & Electrical Co. Ltd.; Dr. Syed Samsul Amin (PhD) – President, Songjog Foundation (USA); Dr. Valerie Ann Taylor – Founder, CRP; Syed M. Sajjad – Managing Director, Majumder Group; Amer Selim – Director, Knit Asia Ltd.
The session was sponsored by Silkflex, with Textile Focus serving as the media partner.
