Indonesia—Improving the Health of Female Workers at Global Apparel Company’s Factories

DAI’s Sustainable Business Group was commissioned by VF Corporation—one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear, and accessories companies—to help develop and implement a health program for a majority-female workforce. The project was initiated under a partnership between VF Corporation and the USAID Jalin project.

Women comprise around 70 percent of VF Corporation Indonesia’s supply chain factory workers, with many of reproductive age requiring maternal and newborn health services. Long working hours make accessing these important health services challenging and can have detrimental health outcomes.

The program focused on maternal and newborn health (MNH), family planning, sexual and gender-based violence, and COVID-19. It strengthened MNH services in factory clinics, increased staff and worker MNH knowledge, and improved referral pathways so that workers can receive more advanced treatment. Delivered in 10 VF Corporation factories across Java, Indonesia, the program reached 18,500 employees.

Select Results

Supported factory clinics to strengthen health promotion, quality of service, and referrals:

• Trained clinic staff; health, safety, and environment officers; and peer educators and workers.
• Developed or strengthened 56 standard operating procedures (SOPs) and introduced a quality assurance tool to monitor the maintenance of standards.
• Secured more advanced care for factory workers by facilitating referral agreements between factories and health facilities.

Responded swiftly to COVID-19 surge:

• Distributed COVID-19 health promotion materials, developed and strengthened COVID-related SOPs, and provided relevant training.
• Supported factories to vaccinate workers by advocating for vaccines and supplying equipment.

“At VF, we want people in our supply chain to live better, healthier lives because of their connection with VF. DAI supports our mission by working with us to effectively develop and deliver health programs to our supply chain workers in Indonesia and Vietnam that are timely and relevant to workers’ needs.”

Jens Aas, Worker and Community Development Program Manager, VF Corporation