Modele Group left no stone unturned when it came to ensuring the safety of its workers and employees as factories opened amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting from setting up new operating procedures, to giving pregnant workers general leave, their initiatives regarding workers safety have been exemplary.
One of the leading ready-made garment manufacturer and exporters in Bangladesh, Model group set up new Standard Operating Procedure and formed a task force comprising of doctors, nurse, a health and safety committee and a new PC committee in compliance with the government, BGMEA and WHO guidelines.
Moreover, the safety measures have not been limited to the factories only but also extended to the workers’ homes where they are provided with training, safety equipment and regular monitoring.
At the factories, handwashing stations have been installed at every entrance and temperature checks have been made mandatory. Meanwhile, the workers have been provided with masks, sufficient antiseptic liquids, and facilities to sterilize clothes and shoes. In addition, every surface is sterilized at the end of each shift.
Modele Group has also adjusted the layouts of the production floor, dining area, canteen as well as the schedule in line with the guidelines. Strict restrictions have always been imposed on visitors and unnecessary movement of workers who have been trained to maintain social distancing.
Health instructions and the guidelines have been displayed in the factory with the system being continuously monitored.
“Our factory is being run according to the health protocols and guidelines provided by the government and association. Based on that we are trying to ensure the safety of workers as much as possible,” said Mr. Masuduzzaman, the founding Managing Director of Modele Group.
“We have formed a team to ensure door-to-door health services in the areas where our workers live. We have formed a committee of doctors and nurses to go to every door in those areas and train people on sanitization and health safety protocols,” added the former vice-president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
As contingency measures, a fully equipped medical centre with isolation facilities and a medical team has been set up for suspected cases while supplying the medical team and the cleaners with standard PPEs.
The group have also partnered with a local hospital for emergency cases and a designated vehicle is there to transport patients. Moreover, pregnant workers have been granted general leave.
Not only has the RMG exporter set an example in maintaining workers safety, but Modele Group has also stepped up to aid the community in Narayanganj, a virus hotspot. The organization adopted a Tk 5 crore ($ 600,000), the four-tiered program under which several packages to prevent the spread of the deadly virus and to ensure public security, food, and health safety.
As many as 15,000 families in Narayanganj are receiving food aid for which Tk 1.5 crore from the fund has been allocated. Moreover, Model Group volunteers are patrolling the streets in Narayanganj city and leading cleansing drives to keep the streets clean.
To ensure the working health safety and protection to the frontline medical team of the district, the group has provided authentic medical protective equipment from overseas; hand gloves, PPE, goggles, shield, masks, thermometer etc. and distributed them through different government organizations and elected authorities to ensure maximum coverage.
*PHOTO CREDIT: Mohammad Rakibul Hasan