bKash sets up sanitary napkin vending machines at five garment factories

bKash has set up vending machines in five garment factories across the country to help female workers purchase sanitary napkins whenever needed.

The mobile financial service provider installed the vending machines at Ananta Garments and Newage Apparels in Ashulia, Mega Denim and Hams Garments in Gazipur, and Independent Apparels in Chattogram with the technical support of Vertical Innovations.

bKash will expand this service to more factories in the future, according to a press release.

By scanning a QR code from the bKash app or dialling *247#, workers can easily buy sanitary napkins from vending machines at a lower price than the market value through bKash payment.

"From these vending machines located in factories, female workers can easily buy napkins at a lower price. bKash will take this initiative to a larger scale in the future," said Ali Ahmmed, chief commercial officer of bKash.

Besides, bKash has been working to build a seamless, secure and affordable digital payroll and a sustainable financial ecosystem for garment workers, he added.

Inamul Haq Khan and M Sajedul Karim, managing director and deputy managing director of Ananta Garments respectively; Mahmud Hossain, executive director of Newage Apparels; and Rezwan Ahamed Noor, chief executive officer of Vertical Innovations, were present.