At a time when the readymade garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh faces unprecedented challenges—from economic & political uncertainty to production restrictions—Fashion Step Group has set a benchmark in employee welfare by prioritizing the well-being of its pregnant workers.
Operating in Gazipur, one of the country’s major garment manufacturing hubs, Fashion Step Group employs approximately 5,500 employees, of which nearly 65% are women. Amongst ongoing industry struggles, the company has maintained and even enhanced its commitment to supporting expecting mothers in the workplace.
Whenever a female employee informs the authority about her pregnancy, a comprehensive care program is put into action. This includes:
- Daily nutritional support, including folic acid supplements throughout the pregnancy.
- 120 days of maternity leave, divided into 60 days before child delivery and 60 days after.
- Advance payment of salary for the pre-delivery period, with the remainder disbursed upon return to work.
- Flexible additional leave, especially in cases where the delivery extends beyond the expected delivery date.
- Salary payments via digital banking, even if the employee cannot resume at work after child delivered.
Fashion Step Group also ensures that pregnant employees are not subjected to overtime and are allowed to leave the facility promptly at 5:00 PM. Their daily responsibilities are adjusted to involve minimal physical exertion. Additionally, these employees receive a 30-minute supplementary break on top of the regular one-hour lunch to support their nutritional needs.
In-house doctors provide routine medical checkups and counseling, and welfare officers maintain regular follow-ups, offering continuous emotional and physical support throughout the pregnancy journey.
In a show of resilience and compassion during the national crisis over the past year, not a single employee was laid off. In fact, Fashion Step Group expanded its workforce, hiring over 1,500 new employees while continuing to ensure timely salary payments and additional employee benefits.
At its core, Fashion Step Group believes that employees are not just part of the workforce—they are the true engines and ambassadors of the Fashion Step brand. That’s why the company strives to go above and beyond legal requirements to provide a supportive, respectful, and empowering environment for all.
