News about Our Work - © BLAST 11 November 2025 How an App Helps Women in Bangladesh's Textile Factories Get Their Right Bangladesh is one of the most important production sites of the global fashion industry – and at the same time a place where millions of workers have to fight for fair conditions on a daily basis. Our partner BLAST (Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust) has developed an app that gives textile workers easy access to information, advice and legal assistance. An app that grows with workers What began as a pure information tool has developed into a living platform that is actively co-designed by the workers. More than 27,000 users are now informed about their rights via the Sromik Jigyasha – Workers’ Queries app, calculate overtime and maternity benefits, are directly connected to the BLAST case management system in case of conflicts or exchange views via community chat. The app is barrier-free, easy to understand and for many women the first safe place to address problems. Self-help groups create collective strength Technical access alone is not enough. In addition to the app, BLAST has launched and supported twelve self-help groups in four districts, especially women, in addressing grievances, demanding solutions and strengthening each other. Concrete improvements have already been implemented in 37 factories (as of June 2025), from refurbished sanitary facilities to available first aid boxes and regulated maternity benefits. In total, more than 10,000 workers have benefited directly from this. Support in the enforcement of labour rights by trained staff There is also a clear impact in the area of mutual legal assistance: Since the beginning of the project, the trained staff of BLAST has personally accompanied over 400 cases and answered 2,837 inquiries (as of June 2025) directly via the app. For the first time, many women received wage back payments, maternity benefits or compensation – benefits that they were denied for a long time. Stories behind the numbers In Gazipur, a worker was able to claim her maternity benefits for the first time thanks to the app, in Narayanganj, a trade unionist obtained the reinstatement of a colleague after an incident of harassment, and in Chattogram, self-help groups enforced clean drinking water for hundreds of workers – small stories showing how concrete changes are directly improving the lives of many women. These developments show how digital tools, legal education and joint action can empower workers in a highly competitive industry. And they show how much is possible if women have access to knowledge, exchange and support. We are currently promoting this project for donations. Support the legal aid project now
