SEATTLE, Washington — With the coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the globe, not only has the death toll been massive but the economic effects have been devastating. As businesses shut down, temporarily or permanently, families have faced issues. In South Asia, Bangladesh has been hit hard by the virus. As a developing country, Bangladesh has been working to end its title as one of the United Nations’ least developed countries by the year 2024. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is hindering its progress. Fortunately, some online companies are helping families in Bangladesh via app developments.
Lost Stock App
The creators of the shopping app Mallzee developed another program called Lost Stock when they recognized that many large brand name clothing companies had canceled orders of products that had already been made by Bangladeshi workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. By doing so, over two million workers were sent home without pay. The pandemic put factories in a difficult position. Factories paid upfront for materials to make the clothing but many retailers canceled orders without payment. Without a steady income, starvation became an immediate concern for the people of Bangladesh.
When the startup company Mallzee heard of this crisis, it quickly jumped to action. It recognized that the clothing had already been made, so it developed the app Lost Stock, an app that allows the user to purchase a box that sends them three articles of clothing in their size at a huge discount. Because the purchaser cannot see what they are getting ahead of time, the mystery makes the purchase more fun. More importantly, the funds from the purchase are helping families in Bangladesh. Not only do the clothing companies gain revenue but the sales provide a week’s worth of food and essentials to a family of four.
Google Kormo Jobs App
The COVID-19 pandemic has had many impactful side effects on top of devastating health repercussions. With a change in what types of job categories are considered essential, many workers have realized their skillsets are not needed in the current workforce climate. Google developed a job search app called Kormo Jobs, which has been helping families in Bangladesh since 2018. The app has also expanded to India and Indonesia and has posted over two million jobs.
The app helps users find entry-level jobs. If a user does not have the skills required for certain jobs, the app also provides education to give the user tools they would need to learn those skills. If a user applies for a job, the app can also serve as a platform to perform online interviews.
In a blog article, Bicky Russell, operations lead and regional manager of Kormo Jobs, wrote about the “new normal” that businesses across the globe are facing and the changing requirements for employees. With the app, the users have a quick and easy way to job search without having to risk in-person contact during COVID-19.
An uncertain future can be quite frightening for anyone. Although 24 million people in Bangladesh still live in poverty, the country has made strides towards economic growth. The pandemic has created a barricade for all who face it, but these online companies are helping families in Bangladesh move forward and continue to progress.
– Tawney Smith
Photo: Flickr