Why

Many factories in the apparel industry have not done enough to protect the health and safety of its workers. To ensure we support the people who help make our products, Patagonia is committed to working with supply-chain partners who meet our rigorous standards for fair labor practices, safe working conditions and environmental responsibility.

We also want these efforts to promote a positive impact in the broader communities. Working with organizations like MAMATA helps get us there.

MAMATA is an NGO that provides health-care services and education to low-income communities in Bangladesh. Through ongoing surveys and direct conversations with those impacted, the organization assesses key needs for workers.

Patagonia first learned about MAMATA through Youngone - Karnaphuli Sportswear Ind. Ltd. (KSL), our Down Sweater manufacturer located in Chattogram, where Mamata is also based. For many years, Youngone - KSL’s workers, families and extended communities have received health-care services, training and medicine from the NGO. When they told us about MAMATA’s work, we were thrilled to form a partnership that supports workers and helps benefit our supplier.

Where We Are

Since 2014, we have given MAMATA annual donations to support and expand their operations. With the Fall 2022 redesign of our Down Sweater, we were inspired to make our biggest contribution to date to show our ongoing commitment to Youngone - KSL and its workers.

Over this three-year period, MAMATA was able to use these additional funds to expand its services and reach, establishing six more satellite health clinics (now 18 total) and hiring six staff members , in positions from lab technician to general health-care worker. Through a community needs assessment, MAMATA found that there was a strong desire for more maternity care, so a large share of the funds have been used to support education on maternal and reproductive care, prenatal testing and lab equipment, such as an ultrasound machine. All of these services are made easily accessible through 10 static testing labs located in populated areas where workers live.

The money has also helped fund two on-site child-care centers serving more than 70 children of Youngone workers.

What’s Next

The health and safety of our supply-chain workers and their communities depend on sustained support. Our contributions to MAMATA will now be supplemented by our contributions to the Fair Trade program. After a year of hard work to earn Fair Trade certification, Youngone KSL will begin making Fair Trade products for Patagonia in Fall 2025. This means that we will pay a premium for every product made at the factory, and workers will collectively decide how to spend it. This fund will supplement the benefits and services they receive from MAMATA and will support other needs that they identify.