UNICEF partners with Bangladesh garment industry to support mothers at work

UNICEF has partnered with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) to help working mothers care for their young children while working in garment factories.

Under the UNICEF-led Mothers@Work initiative, UNICEF and the two associations will support factories to provide breastfeeding spaces and breaks, childcare facilities, paid maternity leave, cash benefits, health care, employment protection and a safe work environment for working mothers and pregnant women. 

Evidence shows that paid time off, support for breastfeeding and antenatal services contribute to healthier children and happier families as well as gender equality, workforce productivity and sustainable economic growth.

The Mothers@Work initiative was launched at a program held at Westin Hotel in Dhaka on October 13.

Md. Ehsan-E-Elahi, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, attended the launching ceremony as chief guest while Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA was present as special guest. 

Mohammad Hatem, Executive President, BKMEA; Sheldon Yett, Representative, UNICEF Bangladesh and Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Vice President, BKMEA also spoke at the launching ceremony which was attended by BGMEA Directors Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee, Abdullah Hil Rakib and Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan.

Building on lessons learned from a UNICEF pilot project, this partnership will improve working conditions for 130,000 women and provide better nutrition services, and day-care facilities for 8,000 children in a sustainable way. Starting in 80 factories, the initiative will gradually increase aiming to ultimately reach all 6,500 factories in Bangladesh.

“It is imperative to keep the workplace safe and welcoming for new mothers and expecting mothers among the staff to protect the wellbeing of mothers and ensure that their children receive key nutrients necessary to support a baby's healthy development,” said Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA.

He also said,” BGMEA through the Mothers@Work programme aims to ensure the seven criteria proposed in the project to fully establish the safety and wellbeing of pregnant and new mothers, and their children in garment factories.”

“We must build a society where women can earn a living while taking care of their children. With this partnership, UNICEF wants to catalyze better business for children,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.

UNICEF is also engaging with the Government as a way to sustain and scale up Mothers@Work programme.

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