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