In Bangladesh, employment opportunities, climate change, natural disasters, and marriage are key triggers for migration movements from the rural to the urban sector. Dhaka and Chattogram are the destinations of 80 per cent of the country’s internal migrants. However, lack of awareness about labor standards and ethical recruitment practices are among the factors that exacerbate the vulnerabilities of migrant workers. These workers are at risk due to lack of awareness and limited capacity to implement appropriate corporate policies and management systems also contribute to vulnerabilities of workers.

Bangladesh is the world’s third largest exporter of clothing, Asia’s third in commercial services and recently an important player in the export of agricultural goods. Bangladesh has a significant market opportunity for businesses to secure their connection to a global market where the legalization of corporate responsibility, including ethical recruitment, is increasingly becoming mandatory. If Bangladesh ensures sustainable sourcing and ethical recruitment, it will increase the country’s competitiveness. There is a need to follow labor laws and promote a sustainable business model which has a good supply chain. Labor intensive business models inadvertently expose companies and workers to risks due to limited transparency in recruitment, employment and working conditions as well as migration processes.