Walmart helps improve conditions for Bangladeshi apparel workers

BENTONVILLE, Ark. Walmart announced that its foundation has partnered with CARE to provide 2,500 female factory workers in Bangladesh's apparel sector with long-term, sustainable means of improving their standard of living and working environments through workplace skills and literacy training. The program will be implemented in Dhaka, which has the largest number of garment factories and factory workers in Bangladesh.

"Just last week I was in Bangladesh and had the opportunity to see firsthand the contributions of these hardworking female factory workers in their communities," said Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart International. "At Walmart, we aim to not only improve the lives of our customers and associates, but also to improve the lives of women that work to provide many of the products we carry in our stores around the world. I am confident this program will make a difference in the lives of female factory workers and their families in Bangladesh."

Selected factories will host learning centers, providing education and awareness sessions focused on specific issues of concern to female workers in and around their workplace, including maternal and child health, nutrition, and hygiene and sanitation practices. Through the learning centers, these women will also receive education to improve their reading, writing and math skills. Technical training will focus on providing the workers with design, sewing, equipment handling and other relevant on-the-job technical skills.