Assessing the Reproductive Health Services in Bangalore’s Garment Factories
This study explores the state of reproductive health services and support in Bangalore’s garment factories, focusing on the experiences of women workers. Although the garment workforce is predominantly female, many women, particularly migrant workers, face significant challenges in accessing essential health services and information. Language barriers often prevent migrant workers from participating in health trainings or understanding key messages shared by human resources or welfare staff. In contrast, local workers are more likely to benefit from these programmes.
Reproductive health conditions, such as uterus-related illnesses, have serious effects on women’s physical well-being, productivity, and financial stability. These difficulties are made worse by limited medical leave, inadequate workplace support, and complex procedures under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme. Women recovering from reproductive health-related surgeries often face high out-of-pocket medical expenses and loss of income, with little institutional support to help manage these burdens.
The report also examines how gender roles and social stigma shape women’s experiences in the workplace. Discrimination against women with health issues is common, and many are forced to continue working despite serious health concerns. Support for maternity care is generally insufficient. While some factories provide reduced workloads or basic adjustments, most lack formal policies that support reproductive health or childcare needs.
Additional barriers include the absence of female health workers in factories, restrictive workplace rules, and irregular access to ESI services. Although there are a few positive practices, such as emergency medical help or occasional accommodations, these efforts are inconsistent and limited. Key gaps remain in areas like menstrual hygiene, paid medical leave, routine health check-ups, and access to counselling.
The findings in this report highlight the need for more responsive and inclusive workplace policies that support the reproductive health of women workers. In particular, there is an urgent need to address the specific challenges faced by migrant women, who often remain excluded from workplace health systems. The next section outlines a series of recommendations to improve access to care, strengthen factory-level support, and promote gender-sensitive practices in the garment industry.