On April 17, 2025, salt farmers and mill workers from Cox’s Bazar participated in a coordination workshop organized by Innovision Consulting, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the National Coordination Committee for Workers’ Education (NCCWE), under the Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (ISEC) project.
The workshop served as a platform to strengthen worker voices and promote collective action in the salt sector, which plays a vital role in Cox’s Bazar’s economy. Participants explored the importance of forming a worker-led union and building democratic structures to support inclusive and representative decision-making.
Discussions highlighted key challenges in salt farming and milling, ranging from unfair wages to poor working conditions, and focused on equipping workers with knowledge of their legal rights, occupational safety, and avenues for collective bargaining.
The session concluded with action planning for the formation of a sustainable and inclusive worker association that can advocate for fair labor practices, better working conditions, and social protection for all salt sector workers.
This workshop is part of the broader ISEC project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, which aims to improve skills and economic opportunities for women, youth, minorities, and persons with disabilities in Cox’s Bazar. By fostering worker coordination and promoting decent work, the initiative contributes to the revitalization of Bangladesh’s salt industry through improved labor standards and strengthened worker representation.