Government has been implementing daycare facilities in phases to the children of the RMG sector working mothers for the last few years. The initiative has been taken to provide working mothers reliable and safe places for their children during work hours.
The first phase of ‘daycare centre for children of female RMG workers programme’ has been already implemented. However, the deadline of the second phase of the programme will be implemented by the end of this month. A total of 15 daycare centres are likely to be established in the first two phases.
The third phase of the programme will begin from the next month. The implementation period of the daycare centre programme has been extended. Five more daycare centers will be set up during this implementation period, from July 2021 to June 2022, according to Jatiyo Mohila Sangstha officials.
Jatiyo Mohila Sangstha under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs took the initiative to implement the programme in 2018 with an aim to ensure basic early foundation and other facilities to the children of female garment workers. The service is completely free of cost. The working mothers can work at their workplaces without any tension.
A total amount of Tk 889.42 lakh was approved and Tk 243.53 lakh was allocated in the fiscal year (FY) 2020-21 for the implementation of this programme.
AKM Yeahiya, Assistant Director (Finance) of Jatiyo Mohila Sangstha and also Director of this programme told the Bangladesh Post, “Daycare centres are safe and reliable places for children of the working mothers. This project is very helpful for them as they could hardly afford such service for their kids privately.”
According to Bangladesh Labour Act 2006, in every establishment, wherein forty or more workers are ordinarily employed, they shall be provided a suitable room or rooms for the use of children under the age of six years of such women.
However, such facilities are far cry from the real scenario of the offices and factories in our country.
BGMEA Vice-President Rakibul Alam Chowdhury told Bangladesh Post that daycare center is mandatory in garments, according to BGMEA’s compliance.
He claimed that most of the small factories in the country are providing daycare facilities to the children of their female employees at present.
Due to the implementation of this programme initiated by government, female workers of readymade garment factories are getting the opportunity to keep their children aged from one to six years in a safe environment without any jeopardy from 7am to 8pm. The centres have been set up considering the RMG workers’ convenience.
Shilpi Anjuman Ara, in-charge of the Shewrapara daycare center told the Bangladesh Post, “We try to ensure a safe and homely environment here for the children. The children’s day starts with healthy breakfast, followed by the teaching session. Afterwards, they are bathed, fed and given facility for sleep. The children also have fun as they play different indoor games during their stay in the centre. Taking care of the kids with the utmost sincerity is our top priority.”
So far 15 daycare centres have been established in different areas of seven districts under this programme. A total of 450 children are now receiving daycare facilities every month.
These government daycare services include health care, education, indoor games and other recreational activities. A teacher has been appointed for each daycare centre to provide education to the children. A doctor visits the centres every two months for the purpose of healthcare checkup. The children get nutritious meals three times a day in the daycare centres.
A monthly meeting is held every month to the parents of the children. Their opinions or complaints regarding the facilities are taken into cognizance.
