Safety Fun Run to educate garment workers about safety and health

The 2015 “Safety Fun Run” is the sixth event of its kind organized by Better Work Vietnam – a partnership between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation – to strengthen connections among workers, employers, buyers and the wider community to raise awareness on key health and safety topics facing workers.

The theme of this year's event is "Worker's Health" with the aim to promote healthy living and good nutrition through practical education and guidance.

A study by non-profit organization Business for Social Responsibility on women’s health showed that workers at some factories in the apparel and footwear industries face a range of common ailments, including upper respiratory tract infections (coughs and colds), headache, fatigue, and diarrhea.

Recent focus groups conducted by Better Work also revealed cases of workers skipping meals and factory doctors identifying signs of poor nutrition.

“Healthcare practices and nutrition issues affect both workers’ health and productivity at work”, said Better Work Vietnam Manager Nguyen Hong Ha. “By supporting a healthy workforce, factories are investing not only in better lives for workers, but in better business outcomes too. In this respect it’s a win-win for all”.

Apart from the run (1.5km for females and 2km for males), workers from 33 garment factories will also have a chance to test their own knowledge with quizzes, participate in live performances and exchange experiences with peers from other factories to improve their healthcare and safety practices.

Better Work Vietnam now boasts a membership of more than 350 factories across Vietnam, with a total of more than 430,000 workers – four-fifths of which are female. Fifty-one international buyers currently subscribe to the programme.