Worker Voice: Using technology to drive cultural change in the garment manufacturing industry.
NA-Online
About the Event
The webinar will deep-dive into the topic of ‘Worker Voice.’ In 2018, in collaboration with a supplier partner (Shahi Exports), clothing brand (The Children’s Place) and technology solution developer (WOVO by Labor Solutions) we conducted a randomized controlled trial evaluation of an SMS-based worker communication tool. We found that encouragement to use the tool reduced absenteeism by 3-4%. This unique collaboration between a brand, suppliers, a technology solution company, and an evaluation organization offers multiple perspectives and underscores the need for ‘worker voice’ for different stakeholders. Through this webinar, we hope to offer insight into how evaluations, alignment across organizations on sustainability priorities, and technology can be leveraged to increase transparency and accountability within a factory setting. Further, the discussion will address challenges such as low digital literacy among workers and the need for buy-in from all stakeholders involved including workers, management, and factory owners.
Speakers
| Name | Title | Biography |
|---|---|---|
| Smit Gade | Senior Manager, Data & Research | Smit holds an M.Phil. (Oxford University) and M.Sc.(IGIDR) in economics. At GBL, he looks after the design and implementation of research projects as well as manages the data vertical. Prior to joining GBL, Smit has worked at J-PAL. |
| Elena Fanjul-Debnam | Vice President of Labor Solutions | Elena leads the development of Workplace Options' Emerging Markets suite of services-- Labor Solutions. Her areas of specialization include social sustainability and worker engagement advisory. |
| Gauri Sharma | Organizational Development Manager | Gauri is a sustainability professional. She works in the fashion supply chain on responsible business strategies and is currently conducting research on circular economy as part of her Master's in Sustainability Leadership at the University of Cambridge. |