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Article

30 Jul 2018

Author:
The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety (Alliance)

Alliance plans on transitioning worker helpline to independent initiative, increasing access to millions more workers in Bangladesh

"Alliance to Transition Landmark Amader Kotha Worker Helpline to Independent Initiative, Expanding Access to Millions More Workers", 22 July 2018

The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety (Alliance) announced (...) that its landmark confidential 24/7 worker helpline—Amader Kotha (“Our Voice”)— will transition this month to an independent initiative which will (..) have the ability to expand its services beyond Alliance factories. The Alliance made the announcement as it moves toward transitioning its factory safety and worker empowerment initiatives to an independent Safety Monitoring Organization (SMO) managed in partnership with credible, local partners.

Amader Kotha has empowered hundreds of thousands of garment workers to report issues of concern anonymously and without fear of retribution,” said Amb. Jim Moriarty, executive director of the Alliance.  “We are incredibly proud to leave the Helpline as a legacy, and that this important resource will continue, and grow, under the leadership of the Helpline project partners.”... [The] helpline allows garment workers to report and resolve substantive issues in their factories, ranging from emergencies and urgent safety concerns to workplace abuse and wage compensation disputes. Since its inception, more than 233,000 inbound calls from workers in over 1,000 factories have been received. To date, more than 80 percent of all substantive issues have been resolved... Through a donation made in the name of former Alliance Independent Chair, the Hon. Ellen Tauscher, Alliance member brands will continue to fund Amader Kotha in its initial phase under new management.

Workers in Alliance factories have praised the Helpline as having a direct impact on their daily lives.  “The Helpline allows us to get problems resolved, and our supervisors have started to take our concerns more seriously thanks to the Helpline,” said Shahnaz Akter...

Parties interesting in learning more about the Amader Kotha Helpline can contact [email protected].