Our worker well-being programs support thousands of workers employed at factories around the world. We welcome businesses of all sizes and nature to get involved - together, we can create a better life for workers worldwide.

‍

Needs-based approach to improving the lives of supply chain workers

We work closely with the factories in our program and conduct needs assessments to understand the issues supply chain workers face.

In another step to ensure we were looking beyond audit reports to improve the lives of workers, in 2016, we spoke with factory management and workers and identified a need for an employer-funded childcare program to help retain and attract workers while relieving them of the burden of childcare.  

That same year, we piloted the Family-Friendly Spaces program at 2 factories in China. This program was developed in direct response to identified needs and to help reunite workers with their “left-behind children”. In 2022, there were around 9 million rural left-behind children under 16. Nearly 90% of these children are raised by their grandparents or other relatives, with around 360,000 children without a proper guardian. We have since adapted this program since to support not only left-behind, but migrant children, and have also expanded its scope to meet the needs of workers and their children in Vietnam and plans in motion for Mexico.

We understand finding affordable, safe and accessible childcare is a challenge for workers globally. Over 45 million children under five are left at home without adult supervision [UNICEF] and three in four parents have to make major financial changes such as taking on more work and spending less on food to pay for childcare [Act For Early Years]. This is why we continue to develop and scale our worker well-being programs.

ESCP operates Family-Friendly Spaces (FFS) and Parental Training Program to support both left-behind and migrant children, the benefits of which are found on this page. Read more about our work in the Guardian and the Financial Times.

For information on our additional worker well-being initiatives click through to our Gender Equality, Family-Friendly Factory and Worker Helpline pages.

Family-Friendly Spaces

Family-Friendly Spaces provide free childcare facilities both in factory and in community for the children of workers during the summer months. The safe, secure, and well-equipped childcare facilities provide a space for children to learn and play while their parents focus on work.

Since first launching Family-Friendly Spaces at two toy factories in 2016, thousands of workers and their children have now participated.

Over the years we have opened 74 Family-Friendly Spaces accommodated with nearly 10,000 children enrolled, supporting around 8,000 workers.

Data from 2016 – 2024:

Worker Impacts:

• 93% of workers cite the program as a reason to continue working at the factory
• 98% of workers said workers said their child had a safe place to go in the summer
• 81% of workers say they have a closer relationship with their children

Factory Impacts:

• 98% of managers said the program improves workers satisfaction
• 87% of managers said the program helps to attract workers
• 81% of managers said the program helps to reduce turnover rate

Click here to look at the joyful activities factories and program sponsors have prepared this year

Click here to view how our Family-Friendly Spaces program supports the UN's SDGs

‍