Uniqlo launches Indonesian-inspired Batik collection to aid female factory workers
Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo plans to unveil its new Batik motif collection in Indonesia this month, and a portion of proceeds from the line will go to benefiting the women in its factories in Indonesia.
This campaign is part of the company's ongoing project to uplift women in the garment industry in countries like Bangladesh and Indonesia, where Uniqlo's production takes place and where many women in factories there lack basic educational opportunities.
As such, Uniqlo has pledged a portion of proceeds from selected collections to fund programmes to help these workers acquire a range of living skills as well as household management.
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Indonesian Batik is a traditional textile that was included on the UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity in 2009 and its pattern is formed by a series of dots and lines.
The Batik range from Uniqlo extends to both sexes and features patterns that were developed by Uniqlo and a designer endorsed by the Indonesian Batik Foundation.
The "Batik Motif" collection will be available from Jun. 10 onwards.
Uniqlo's project to empower women in factories first launched in Bangladesh in April together with a women's only collection inspired by saris -- the traditional clothing of Bangladeshi women.
In just two months since its inauguration, a employee survey on the women who work at Uniqlo's partner sewing factories in the country, showed a boost in employee morale and improvements in health standards. At one Bangladesh factory, the absentee rate due to sick leave showed a 36% decline.
These programs are supported by Business for Social Responsibility, which is an international non-profit organisation that provides educational support for workers in developing nations.
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