Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on 12 December inaugurated the ‘Go Human, Go Green’ initiative of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
Underlining that the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic cannot be ignored and that the BGMEA has taken steps to face it effectively, Dr. Rubana Huq, the President of BGMEA maintained one such step was the ‘Go Human, Go Green’ initiative, aimed at enhancing the sector’s productivity and the wellbeing of the workers.
As per reports, keeping with the vision of Sustainable Development Goals, the BGMEA President made seven pledges under this initiative, which include amongst others, early childhood learning of workers’ children, workers’ education, workers’ mental health, sustainability and industry innovation and efficiency.
In the context of the pandemic, health and mental health issues have become more prominent and crucial for the workers stated the BGMEA President while adding that considering the importance of the wellbeing of the garment workers, the BGMEA has partnered with Moner Bondhu, a platform to provide care for mental health and well-being service.
Also, a total of 70 garment workers would be pursuing higher education at the Asian University for Women under a special programme, said Dr. Rubana while adding days are not so far when apparel workers will work at the managerial levels in different organisations.
Further, BGMEA and Jaago Foundation have reportedly partnered to provide online education for the workers’ children when they spend their time in the day care centres of the respective factories.
The pledges for sustainability, innovation and productivity will allow the sector people to be familiar with the latest innovation, technology, software and trends while also garment makers to improve unit’s productivity through skills training, Dr. Rubana said adding that beyond this, sustainability will focus on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its role in the transformation of the sector.
