Inclusive Workplaces in the Garment Industry
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One billion people live with disabilities at global level. They are the world’s largest minority, with about 80% living in developing countries. Limited access to education, employment and income intensifies economic inequality and manifest discrimination for disabled people, especially in developing countries. Employers are yet to adhere adequately to national legislation and international standards that promote inclusion of persons with disabilities. Often, employers lack adequate technical skills to make their facilities disability-inclusive.
Against this background, the PSES programme supported the establishment of an Inclusive Job Center (IJC) in 2015 in Dhaka to strengthen the capacities of government, the private sector and civil society actors (NGOs and disabled peoples’ organisations (DPOs)) in the textile and garment industries. The centre matches persons with disabilities who are prepared to work in the textile and garments sector with suitable training opportunities and employment.
The IJC further serves as a platform for information sharing, advisory services, capacity building and job vacancies. A factory assessment checklist, a training manual, a handbook, human resources guidelines and other related materials have been developed to support stakeholders to advance disability-inclusion in the ready-made garment sector. The centre also supports the drafting of inclusion plans of interested factories to inform policies that promote inclusive workplaces.
While initially hiring persons with disabilities was considered a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity, many ready-made garment companies in Bangladesh now regard it as a wise business choice. Their experience shows that disabled workers are just as productive as their non-disabled peers and increase workplace cooperation as well as morale with a positive effect on overall productivity.
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Source: https://goodmenproject.com