Acknowledging the importance of workers’ well-being for the growth, reputation, and long-term sustainability of the RMG industry, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has been making committed efforts to improve the well-being of the garment workers in Bangladesh.

As part of the ongoing efforts, BGMEA has partnered with Helen Keller, a global organization dedicated to preventing blindness and promoting eye health, to provide comprehensive eye care services to garment workers.

In an inception workshop held at BGMEA Complex on January 13, the representatives of BGMEA and Helen Keller expressed their commitment to implement the eye care initiative, said a press release.

The focus of this partnership is on providing primary eye care services, including basic eye examinations, prescription glasses, and referrals for more complex eye disorders.

In his speech, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan lauded the collaboration, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance the eye health of garment workers.

He stated, “Providing eye care services to garment workers is not only a matter of ensuring their physical well-being but also contributes to workplace productivity, safety, and overall job satisfaction.”

Hasina Akhter, country director of Helen Keller International, Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of the eye care initiative, underscoring how improved vision and eye health directly contribute to increased productivity and better quality of work.

Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, vice president of BGMEA, Neela Hosna Ara, director in charge of Health Projects at BGMEA, Sheikh H.M. Mustafiz, chairman of Standing Committee on Sustainability, BGMEA, and Wasim Zakariah, chairman of Standing Committee, SDGs, BGMEA were present at the meeting.

Earlier, Helen Keller and BGMEA signed a MoU to provide eye care services to garment workers.

Under this initiative, clinicians at five BGMEA-affiliated health facilities will receive training, equipping them with the necessary tools to provide effective eye care services.

An essential aspect of this collaboration is the assessment of the impact of improved eye health on workers’ productivity.