Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) aims to produce over 110,000 handwoven face masks to help limit the spread of Covid-19 in the region under its Women Eco Weavers programme in collaboration with Colorsilk.

Maybank said some 250 women weavers in Cambodia under this programme would produce hand woven face masks made of pure cotton and silk in support of easing the pressure on the demand for surgical masks.

It said the face masks are primarily reserved for medical professionals and health care workers as well as to counter the increase in price of face masks within the region.

“To date, over 15,000 handwoven masks have been produced by the weavers, whereby 12,000 have been sold and 2,000 were donated to communities in Cambodia,” it said.

In Cambodia, a single-use surgical mask could easily cost as high as US$1 per piece in a country where a large percentage of people live below the poverty line and earn between US$1.25 to US$2.00 per day.

The three-ply handwoven cotton masks can be cleaned, reused and cost a minimum of US$0.65 and the silk woven masks are priced at US$1.50 per piece.

The masks come in both plain and a striped pattern known as Kroma which is unique to the Cambodian silk-weaving heritage.

Maybank Foundation chief executive officer Shahril Azuar Jimin said amidst the difficult times, it was heartening to see the weavers doing their part to contain the spread of the virus by producing these handcrafted face masks.

“This momentous effort by them goes to show that any one be it old, young, rich or poor can do their part to help each other in times of crisis.

“It is also inspiring to see the impact of our investments in collective solutions for the communities we serve,” said Shahril.

According to Maybank, the majority of the weavers were graduates and trainees of the Maybank Women Eco-Weavers programme.

It is a Maybank Foundation flagship programme that promotes traditional textile globally, in a sustainable manner whilst creating economic independence and financial inclusion for women weavers across the Asean region.

It said the face mask initiative also provides supplementary economic opportunities for the weavers and Cambodia’s weaving communities in an effort to ensure fair pricing and protect the welfare of the people.

“From this initiative alone, the weavers are earning between US$200 and US$350 per month. The weavers are also currently receiving orders from countries such as Japan, Indonesia, the US and Taiwan,” it said.

A graduate trainee of the Maybank Women Eco-Weavers programme, Touch Eng said she used to earn less than US$30 as a farmer while others made more working at factories.

“Since I participated in the face mask project, I am thankful that I am able to earn between US$250 and US$280 and to also support my country in combating the spread of the virus,” Eng said.