The ready-made garment industry of Bangladesh is committed to ensuring safer and healthier environment for workers, especially women, who are at the heart of the industry, said Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA.
“As we recognize the crucial role that workers play in this industry, we also consider it as an imperative to take care of their health which directly correlates with their productivity,” he said.
“Our proactive engagement with the government of Bangladesh and UNICEF in the Mothers@Work project is an example of how the industry is trying to improve the healthcare of women workers in the sector,” he remarked while speaking at a program held at UNICEF House in Dhaka on March 12.
Kenny Liu, Vice President and General Manager (Retail, Branding and Information Solutions), South Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Avery Dennison; Siddhartha C Reddy, Vice President (Finance, Solutions Group), Avery Dennison, USA; Sazzad Hossain, General Manager, Avery Dennison, Bangladesh were present at the program while from UNICEF, Dr. Saja Farooq Abdullah, Chief of Field Service; Dr. Safina Abdulloeva, Nutrition Manager; Elisa Cortes Gil, Chief Resource Mobilization and Partnerships and Piyali Mustphil, Chief, Nutrition also attended the event.
Bangladesh RMG sector committed to ensuring workers healthcare: BGMEA President
In his speech Faruque Hassan said BGMEA had taken the issue of creating a decent and inclusive workplace at the core of its strategic vision and been working to ensure that the women working in the garment industry have access to adequate healthcare, nutrition and safe working conditions.
“We are collaborating with the stakeholders and members factories to improve maternal and child health,” he further said.
He said proper maternity benefits and a breastfeeding-friendly workplace contribute to higher job satisfaction and loyalty among our factory’s employees.
“Most of our factories are aware, or are increasingly becoming aware of the numerous business benefits of supporting breastfeeding mothers in the workplace,” he added.
He urged all stakeholders including media to appreciate and promote the good initiatives taken by the garment factories in Bangladesh, even going beyond legal obligations for the welfare of the workers.
