Bengaluru Garment Workers See Productivity Boost with Glasses

Why this is here: The study estimated a 337% return on investment during the three-month trial period, demonstrating substantial economic benefits from a low-cost healthcare intervention.

Good Business Lab researchers in Bengaluru, India, found that providing near-vision glasses to garment workers improved productivity. The study, PROSPER II, ran from November 2023 to May 2024 across factories partnered with Shahi Exports Pvt.

Ltd. Researchers screened nearly 5,000 workers and enrolled 682 in a trial examining the impact of corrected vision.

Workers receiving glasses showed a 5.7% to 6% increase in productivity over 12 weeks compared to those who waited for correction. The intervention, implemented by VisionSpring, also improved self-reported visual function and daily activities. Factories saw a net benefit of about ₹4,000 per worker in six weeks, with potential annual gains near ₹15,000 per worker.

However, adherence to wearing the glasses started at 41% in the fourth week and only reached 65% by week twelve. Researchers acknowledge further study is needed to understand long-term compliance and the sustainability of these gains. Shahi Exports plans to expand these programs to reach roughly 100,000 workers.