Staff Correspondent: Modele Group, a reputed ready made garment manufacturing and exporting company based in Narayanganj, has come forward to protect its factory workers from coronavirus as well as to serve the mass people. In addition to adhering hygiene, the company has taken various initiatives including protection of factory workers, food support, medical assistance, monetary support, awareness programs. It was informed by the organization through a press release.
The statement says that the factory has been restarted abiding by the instructions given by the government to supply garments, taking into account the economic condition of Bangladesh due to the situation caused by the coronavirus. All measures have been taken by the authorities to ensure the safety of the workers.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Narayanganj Upazila Mr. Hasan-Bin-Muhammad Ali, who visited the site on behalf of Narayanganj district administration, praised the internationally renowned organization for complying with the instructions.
Mr. Masuduzzaman, Founder and Managing Director of the company, said, “We are operating our factory as per government guidelines, and based on that, we are trying our best to ensure the safety of the workers.”
“We have formed a team to deliver healthcare to the workers. The team, made up of doctors and nurses, is going door-to-door to train the mass people on hygiene and cleanliness”, Mr. Masuduzzaman, former vice-president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), also said.
Let’s take a look at the multifaceted initiatives taken by the organization-
Workers’ Safety:
In accordance with the guidelines prescribed by the government, measures have been taken to prevent all kinds of germs, especially inside and in the entrance of the factory. Workers are entering into the factory maintaining social distance, outsiders have been prohibited to the factory inside. Each of the workers-employees is entering the factory after checking the temperature in the thermal machine. When the temperature is normal, everyone has to enter the factory through disinfectant tunnel. Even their shoes are being sprayed with disinfectant.
Although it’s a labor intensive industry, changes have been made in the production system, dining hall and canteen inside the factory in accordance with the government hygiene guidelines to ensure health and safety. In addition to maintaining social distance, every place at the beginning and end of work should be cleaned with disinfectant, as well as the use of masks has been made compulsory for everyone. All kinds of unnecessary movements have been stopped. Disinfectants are being sprayed on goods or other vehicles entering the factory.
Not only in the factory, it is equally important for the workers to be safe in their own homes also. The organization has provided training on how to keep the workers safe in their homes and also how to keep the family members safe as well. In addition, pregnant women have been granted general leave.
Food Support:
No role should be there on getting infected or spreading the infection, that’s why we have to stay at home. Meanwhile, how to gather food? Modele group has also taken this issue into consideration. The company is spending Tk 1.5 crore to provide food for 15,000 families, including garment workers in Narayanganj, the most infected district after the capital, Dhaka. Food aid includes rice, pulses, potatoes, oil, onions, soap and other daily needing commodities.
Medical Assistance:
Modele Group has also extended a helping hand to the protection of doctors and health workers who have played a leading role in combating the corona virus. At a cost of Tk. 1.5 crore, they imported PPEs, surgical masks, thermometer goggles and protective shields and hand gloves as per the World Health Organization standards and supplied these medical aid items to various healthcare providers in Narayanganj through local people’s representatives and district administration.
In addition, medical centers with all kinds of equipment including isolation facilities have been set up in their own factories as an emergency measure and a team of doctors and cleaners has also been formed to provide quality PPE to the suspected patients. The group has also entered into an agreement with a local hospital to provide emergency medical care to the staff. Besides, a vehicle has also been allotted for transporting patients.
Awareness and Cleanliness:
Awareness and cleanliness are essential to survive the Pandemic, says the World Health Organization and epidemiologists in Bangladesh. They are already carrying out disinfection and cleaning work in various roads and areas of Narayanganj city through the participation of their volunteers and the other people.
Financial Support:
Modele Group has distributed more than Tk 1.5 crore through various government agencies and elected representatives during this time of emergency which is to be directly helping poor and disadvantaged people.
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