The Department of Women Affairs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) to ensure nutritional support for pregnant workers in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector.
The MoU was signed by BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem and Director General of the Department of Women Affairs, Keya Khan.
In addition to BKMEA, agreements were also signed with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB). The program will receive technical support from the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP).
Under the agreement, the initiative will be implemented in a total of 700 member factories of BKMEA, BGMEA, and LFMEAB during the fiscal year 2024-25. Among these, 180 factories belong to BKMEA. Gradually, the program will be expanded to cover all member factories.
As part of the Mother and Child Support Program, a total of 16,800 pregnant women workers will receive a monthly allowance of BDT 800 each. The beneficiaries will continue receiving this allowance for 36 consecutive months.
The signing ceremony was attended by Kun Li, Head of Partnerships, Communication, and Reporting at WFP Bangladesh Country Office; Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, Senior Vice President of LFMEAB; representatives from BGMEA; and senior officials from the relevant departments.
