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" A landmark randomized controlled trial conducted by Good Business Lab at Shahi Exports has established a definitive correlation between worker physiological well-being and industrial output. Published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, the study reveals, providing free corrective glasses to garment workers suffering from presbyopia - a condition affecting one in four operators - boosted floor productivity by 6 per cent. At a marginal cost of under Rs 1,000 per worker, the intervention yielded a net benefit of Rs 4,000 in just six weeks, with annual returns projected at Rs 15,000 per operator. This data-backed evidence suggests, basic health screenings can match the performance gains of far more capital-intensive technical training or financial incentive programs.

Scaling social sustainability across global supply chains

India’s premier apparel manufacturer, Shahi Exports has committed to expanding this vision correction initiative to its entire workforce of 100,000 people. Beyond the internal business case, the macroeconomic implications are substantial; universal vision correction across the 53 million garment workers in South and Southeast Asia could unlock an estimated $27 billion in annual global productivity. Anant Ahuja, Director- ESG, Shahi Exports, emphasizes, strategic investment in eye health is a fundamental pillar of responsible manufacturing. As the industry faces intensifying scrutiny over ethical operations, this low-cost, high-impact model provides a scalable blueprint for enhancing both worker quality of life and long-term commercial competitiveness.

Shahi Exports' ethical manufacturing

Established in 1974, Shahi Exports is India’s largest integrated apparel manufacturer, operating over 50 facilities with nearly 100,000 employees. The company serves major global fashion brands, leveraging vertically integrated operations and a strong commitment to ESG-driven innovation, responsible sourcing, and large-scale worker well-being programs to maintain its market leadership.