PICARD BANGLADESH
Our production facility in Bangladesh was built in the 1990s. Even though we are one of the few companies in Germany that still train the fine leather craft today, we have had an increasing problem finding new talent. It was therefore an important decision for us to set up production in Bangladesh in order to preserve the fine leather crafting that has been preserved through tradition. The factory in Bangladesh has several certifications and is subject to the highest standards in terms of social and ecological environment. All employees have comprehensive insurance coverage and wages and salaries are based on the ILO Living Wage Index ( https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/wages/lang--en/index.htm )
Our production facility in Bangladesh was built in the 1990s. Even though we are one of the few companies in Germany that still train the craft of fine leatherworkers, we have had an increasing problem finding new talent. It was therefore an important decision for us to set up production in Bangladesh in order to preserve the fine leatherwork that has been preserved through tradition. The factory in Bangladesh has several certifications and is subject to the highest standards in terms of social and ecological environment. All employees have comprehensive insurance coverage and wages and salaries are based on the ILO Living Wage Index ( https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/wages/lang--en/index.htm )
Despite everything, we believe that there is still too much poverty and injustice in this country, which is why we also support the SBF organization* locally , as we have built up a close relationship with the people and are committed to helping our local employees to give them a better life. We regularly organize fundraising campaigns for the people of Bangladesh from Germany, you can find out more about this in our blog .
Despite everything, we believe that there is still too much poverty and injustice in this country, which is why we also support the SBF organization* locally , as we have built up a close relationship with the people and are committed to helping our local employees to give them a better life. We regularly organize fundraising campaigns for the people of Bangladesh from Germany, you can find out more about this in our blog .
PICARD creates jobs for employees in the skilled trades.
PICARD creates jobs for employees in the skilled trades.
In addition to the vocational school for the craft of leather accessories in particular, PICARD has set up its own school and kindergarten. The PICARD school in Bangladesh currently goes up to the 7th grade, but is to be expanded in the future. PICARD employs 12 people with disabilities in Bangladesh and is accessible for wheelchair users. So far, we have also enabled local people to learn to read and write through further training programs. As a training company, we offer real opportunities for advancement and a kindergarten at the workplace. This is intended to enable women in particular to go to work. Here, children aged 1-6 are looked after by trained educators. Sports and cultural activities are also offered.
In addition to the vocational school for the craft of leather accessories in particular, PICARD has set up its own school and kindergarten. The PICARD school in Bangladesh currently goes up to the 7th grade, but is to be expanded in the future. PICARD employs 12 people with disabilities in Bangladesh and is accessible for wheelchair users. So far, we have also enabled local people to learn to read and write through further training programs. As a training company, we offer real opportunities for advancement and a kindergarten at the workplace. This is intended to enable women in particular to go to work. Here, children aged 1-6 are looked after by trained educators. Sports and cultural activities are also offered.
A student at the blackboard of the PICARD school.
A student at the blackboard of the PICARD school.
The company doctor offers free treatments twice a week and a trained nurse is on site every day. The costs of regular treatments or health tests, such as eye tests, are covered by PICARD. PICARD Bangladesh is also committed to combating youth unemployment. Together with a local aid organization, the young people are trained as carpenters, seamstresses or in machine repair.
The company doctor offers free treatments twice a week and a trained nurse is on site every day. The costs of regular treatments or health tests, such as eye tests, are covered by PICARD. PICARD Bangladesh is also committed to combating youth unemployment. Together with a local aid organization, the young people are trained as carpenters, seamstresses or in machine repairs.
In the following video you will get an insight into PICARD in Bangladesh.
In the following video you will get an insight into PICARD in Bangladesh.
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
We also met with an employee from the factory and conducted an interview with her, which you can read here:
We also met with an employee from the factory and conducted an interview with her, which you can read here:
Ms. Begum, employee at PICARD.
Ms. Begum, employee at PICARD.
PICARD : Mrs Begum, you can read and write, which is still not a given in your country. Did you go to school?
Mrs Begum : No, I never went to school. I come from a very poor area and am the daughter of a day labourer. I came to PICARD Bangladesh when I was 17. At that time I could neither read nor write, nor even sign the pay slip. Today I am a group leader.
PICARD : What exactly has changed for you as a result?
Mrs. Begum : Since I could read, I have become much more self-confident. I can read the newspaper and form my own opinion. I also rely on it all the time in my job: measurements, data analysis and much more. I couldn't do any of this without education.
PICARD : How has your life changed since you started working at PICARD?
Mrs. Begum : Thanks to PICARD, I was able to buy a piece of land and build my own hut. My children go to a prestigious school. My husband and I can support our family. And I can manage my own financial affairs. That makes me independent and proud.
PICARD : Mrs Begum, you can read and write, which is still not a given in your country. Did you go to school?
Mrs Begum : No, I never went to school. I come from a very poor area and am the daughter of a day labourer. I came to PICARD Bangladesh when I was 17. At that time I could neither read nor write, nor even sign the pay slip. Today I am a group leader.
PICARD : What exactly has changed for you as a result?
Mrs. Begum : Since I could read, I have become much more self-confident. I can read the newspaper and form my own opinion. I also rely on it all the time in my job: measurements, data analysis and much more. I couldn't do any of this without education.
PICARD : How has your life changed since you started working at PICARD?
Mrs. Begum : Thanks to PICARD, I was able to buy a piece of land and build my own hut. My children go to a prestigious school. My husband and I can support our family. And I can manage my own financial affairs. That makes me independent and proud.
*Subarna Bhumi Foundation (SBF) is registered under Societies Registration ACT, 1860. The organization has a very active board of directors consisting of seven members. The operations/activities of SBF are closely monitored by this group, every six months all activities including financial matters are reviewed. During the first and second waves of COVID-19, SBF stood by 650 families by providing them financial and food support. The team is working full time in this pandemic emergency situation. To combat the pandemic, SBF is providing health and hygiene kits to 1,650 children in the rural areas of Bangladesh.
For even more information, you can also visit the PICARD Bangladesh production facility's own website: http://picardbd.com/ .
*Subarna Bhumi Foundation (SBF) is registered under Societies Registration ACT, 1860. The organization has a very active board of directors consisting of seven members. The operations/activities of SBF are closely monitored by this group, every six months all activities including financial matters are reviewed. During the first and second waves of COVID-19, SBF stood by 650 families by providing them financial and food support. The team is working full time in this pandemic emergency situation. To combat the pandemic, SBF is providing health and hygiene kits to 1,650 children in the rural areas of Bangladesh.
For even more information, you can also visit the PICARD Bangladesh production facility's own website: http://picardbd.com/ .