Apparel Online India Magazine May 1st Issue 2018 | Page 39

INDUSTRY WIRE

AEPC supports Aider ’ s Day Care Centre for worker ’ s children

Aider , a New Delhi-based NGO , which works for the welfare of home-based workers in the garment industry , opened its Day Care Centre for the children ( age group from 3 to 15 years ) of workers residing in Kapashera ( Delhi ). Supported by Apparel Export Promotion Council ( AEPC ), the Centre , initially for 70 children , will impart computer education and ensure proper nutrition and health to the young ones . This is the second initiative of Aider as the NGO , with the help of Next , UK is already running a similar centre at Molarband near Badarpur border in Delhi and is supporting nearly 2,500 homeworkers of that area .

The new centre is close to Gurgaon , so it will be beneficial for the Gurgaon-based workers . HKL Magu , Chairman , AEPC , inaugurating the centre said , “ AEPC expects that Aider will execute AEPC ’ s support in a fruitful way for the homeworkers ’
HKL Magu , Chairman , AEPC inaugurated the centre
children . These children need to be taken care of , especially from the health and education point of view and our joint efforts will surely help them .”
Virender K Jha , Founder , Aider NGO assured that he will continue work for the upliftment of workers and their children . He urged brands and
stakeholders of the industry to come forward in larger number to support Aider for the upliftment of workers . He also added that Aider is working to create and support a system so that homeworkers can get pension as after 60 years , they really don ’ t have any financial support to live on .
“ With Aider , we have seen good improvement in Molarband area . Single brands can ’ t feed full work all the time to 2,500 homeworkers of this area , so I urge other brands and industry to give some work there also .”
– Vikram Pandita , Asia Head , Next Plc ( UK )
“ Marks & Spencer is doing a lot of CSR and social activities . Our efforts will increase and support the industry more in areas that are worker-driven .”
– Ranjeeb Sarma , Senior Manager , Compliance , CSR and Plan A , Marks & Spencer
“ These efforts are touching those parts of the supply chain which are normally ignored , but value in the product comes only from these homeworkers . These efforts to support them are incredible . I am impressed with the confidence of these children .”
– Raphel Jose , Ethical Trading Manager – India Region at Superdry
“ Collective efforts are very much needed for the welfare of women workers . I am observing Aider ’ s efforts from last three years and it is good to see that the most neglected part of the industry is being supported by Aider .”
– Anuradha Sharma , Chairman Local Complaint Committee , Gurgaon
www . apparelresources . com | MAY 1-15 , 2018 | Apparel Online India 39