US-based renowned denim giant Levi Strauss has launched the COVID-19 Response for RMG Women Workers in Bangladesh Program, which will deliver cash aid to 1,000 female ready-made garment (RMG) workers who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect. Around 600 apparel workers in Dhaka and 400 workers in Chattogram would get Tk5,000.
Besides, 600 more apparel workers – 360 in Dhaka and 240 in Chattogram – would get hygiene kits including soap, detergent and reusable face masks, worth more than Tk1, 200 per person. NGO ActionAid Bangladesh would distribute the cash aid and hygiene kits among the workers through its two associates – Safety and Rights Society in Dhaka and Sangsaptak in Chattogram.
Sekender Ali Mina, Executive Director, Safety and Rights Society, said they will list the project recipients from their RMG workers database. Moreover, they will gather information from the RMG workers. Mina said, they had already prepared 50 volunteers for the aid payment. By mid-March, they expect to reach out to the RMG workers with the aid. Annually, Levi’s sources 39.5 million pieces of denim from Bangladesh.
