Softy – An Affordable Healthcare Product for Low Paid Female Workers at Readymade Garment Industry

Abstract

Historically, manufacturing of Readymade Garment (RMG) had not been static in a particular country or region. On account of manufacturing cost, very specifically on wage hike issue, RMG manufacturing process has been shifted from developed countries like USA and UK to the least developed one like Bangladesh via Japan and Asian 4 Tigers’ economic region as water always flows downtrend. Traditionally, due to light nature/process of work, females and even some cases adolescent girls, are heavily employed in the sector. The various studies reveal that around 80 percent of total workforces in Bangladesh’s RMG sector is female i.e. 3.7 ml females of total 4.6 ml are directly employed in Bangladesh RMG sector. Though a huge number of females are employment yet, they have to struggle to meet their basic needs, where affordability of sanitary napkin is a far-reaching dream to them. The workers suffer from various diseases and the industry losses productivity due to absenteeism, migration, and on account of unhygienic menstrual management. Availability of low-cost sanitary napkin can ensure good health of the workforce, reduce migration and increase productivity. It’s a win-win situation for the workers and employers.