While our companies can focus on the mental health of their employees, we see a completely different problem in other parts of the world. This was shown by Dr. Anne-Marie La Rosa, Shafiqul Islam and Martine Riblan, who ask themselves the question in their panel talk: “Are workers in Bangladesh well protected against work-related injuries?” The answer is as simple as it is sad: no.
Even 10 years after the tragic Rana Plaza disaster, Bangladesh is the only one of the top 20 ready-made garments (RMG) exporting countries to have no form of social insurance, including for work-related injuries.
A solution was presented at ISPO Munich 2023: the EIS Pilot (Employment Injury Scheme). A transformative initiative whose vision is the national transformation towards a comprehensive protection system with effective remedial measures. The task of the pilot project: The program makes compensation payments for people who are permanently unable to work and also supports the relatives of deceased employees. And that’s for all 4 million employees of Bangladesh’s export-oriented garment industry.
How is this possible? Through voluntary contributions from participating brands. Puma, Montagne and the Oberalp Group are already setting a good example and supporting the pilot project. For Martine Riblan, Sustainability Specialist Oberalp, this is “a no-brainer”, he is setting a role model for other brands:
“We made this decision because we strongly believe in the fact that we also have a responsibility in terms of our sources and decisions, but also because we are genuinely interested in the well-being of workers.”
From the seamstress in Bangladesh to the employees in the offices and sponsored athletes to the customer, brands must live their responsibility for well-being. So: listen to the needs of customers, strengthen employees and be part of EIS-Pilot become!
2024-01-30 10:17:23
#benefits #social #wellbeing #sports #industry
