A new partnership to benefit 45,000 Vietnamese factory workers has been launched between Marie Stopes International - an international not-for- profit reproductive health social business, the Pou Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd, and the Australian government.
Representatives from Marie Stopes, Pou Yuen and the Australian government met in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday to formally launch the new partnership under the Australian Government’s Business Partnerships Platform.
The partnership combines social and business objectives to support a healthier, more productive female workforce in Vietnam. The initiative will be delivered at Pou Yuen’s on-site clinic at the footwear company's factory in Ho Chi Minh City.
With 95,000 workers, the majority of whom are women of reproductive age, there is a significant opportunity to better address the specific health needs of these workers.
Marie Stopes International and Pou Yuen have been working in partnership since 2009 to provide sexual and reproductive health services to female factory workers in three of the company's factories in Vietnam. The successful partnership has led to the identification of an opportunity to scale up collaboration to have a greater impact.
The availability of sexual and reproductive health services at the Pou Yuen factory clinic, particularly long-term methods of family planning, is limited. This is contributing to high rates of unplanned pregnancy amongst workers. In 2015, nearly half of the female workers resigned after giving birth, impacting their economic independence and ability to financially provide for their families.
Together with the Australian government, the partners seek to strengthen the quality of service provision whilst generating demand for the uptake of available services.
According to Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Craig Chittick, if successful, all partners see the potential for this project to serve as a demonstration project to be replicated in other factories and industrial settings both in Vietnam and in the region.
The Australian government has committed AUD$500,000 to the project.
Chris Turner, director of Marie Stopes International Regional said that the partnership will promote best practice in the footwear manufacturing sector, and provide a viable model of ethical sourcing which delivers long term social and economic gain.
“The scale of Pou Yuen’s operations is truly remarkable and its achievements are a credit to the women who work there. Marie Stopes is very pleased to be able to contribute to their health and wellbeing,” said Chittick.
Partnership set to improve health outcomes for 45,000 factory workers in Vietnam
A new partnership to benefit 45,000 Vietnamese factory workers has been launched between Marie Stopes International - an international not-for- profit reproductive health social business, the Pou Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd, and the Australian government.
Source: dtinews.vn
