23 November 2022, Colombo: The Sustainability Summit for 2022 hosted by Brandix Apparel Ltd. encompassing varied aspects of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) was held on Tuesday 22^nd November. The Summit covered the pressing issues that faced the world today, with a specific focus on the urgent need to give equal importance to all aspects of the triple bottom line – People, Planet and Profit. Hosted as a hybrid event, with virtual participants and a physical event at Brandix Essentials Ltd, Ratmalana, the Summit brought together an audience of business leaders, government representatives, NGOs, and others interested in this timely subject. 

The sustainability journey of Brandix, commencing in 2007, has seen significant milestones been reached, and include the plant in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka being recognised as the world’s first Net Zero Carbon Apparel Manufacturing facility in 2019. This was not the first time the company broke new ground – In 2008, it’s factory in Seeduwa, Sri Lanka became the World’s first LEED Platinum certified facility under the World Green Building Council, and today the Group has multiple other LEED certified facilities across Sri Lanka and India. A significant depiction of this commitment is the company’s pledge to be Net Zero Carbon across all manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka by 2023, and all facilities in India by 2025.

This year’s panel of international speakers included Claire Kells, Senior Manager Corporate Engagement – UN Global Compact, who spoke of her organisation’s work in the areas of promoting best practices and offering methodologies to effectively track results, through the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN Global Compact’s ESG principles. Ruby Ojha, Senior Environmental and Social Development Specialist ‘ International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, shared insights on ESG for Sustainability, an overview of IFC Performance Standards and IFC’s initiatives relevant to Ready Made Garment Sector. The final of the international speakers, Tejas Sampat, Senior Director, Corporate Responsibility (SA) and Global Sustainability (Offshore) – PVH Corp. shared his views on how the fashion industry is changing and the opportunity to drive fashion forward for the good of all. Each speaker reinforced the summit’s objective of the need to act now, and to couple global know-how with local solutions.

From hosts Brandix, two panellists, namely Akila Fernando ‘ Deputy General Manager, Group Engineering and Vinura Jayewardene, Group Sustainability Engineer, took the audience through the company’s own sustainability journey spanning a decade and a half, and anchored to the pillars of Air, Water and Earth.

“Brandix also works with the objective to make each location where it establishes its facilities, a better place than it was when the company arrived, through enhancing the living conditions and wellbeing of the community,” said Vinura Jayewardene, Group Sustainability Engineer, Brandix Apparel Limited.  He elaborated that in Sri Lanka, its flagship initiative of Water Projects has provided access to clean water for drinking and household needs to over a quarter of a million people, whilst in India free eye camps screen patients and extend medical support and spectacles, with over 35,000 beneficiaries to date.

With attendance figures for this year’s summit once again exceeding the 1,000s, Brandix is humbled to have had the opportunity to bring together a global community of like-minded participants who strive to make an impact on the environment and society. Brandix hopes that this summit is yet another step that will inspire more organisations and individuals to join hands and move from commitments to immediate actions, to unlock the true power of sustainable growth.

29^th November 2022, Welisara: Helping to shape the future of many youth, Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer Brandix Apparel Ltd., under its ‘Manusathkara University Scholarship’ initiative, presented outstanding A/L performers with higher education opportunities, at a ceremony held recently.

The 18 student beneficiaries, who have to-date completed their Orientation and English pre-academic programmes and about to enter formal undergraduate programmes at eight universities across the country received their scholarships at the event.

The ceremony was held at Brandix Fast Fashion Centre in Welisara and graced by the presence of Prof H.D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo, Mr. Ashroff Omar, Group CEO, Brandix, and Ms. Natasha Boralessa, Group Director, Senior personnel from Brandix, parents, students, community representatives and well-wishers were also in attendance.

Brandix launched its Manusathkara University Scholarship programme to provide an opportunity for exceptional performers at Advanced Level Examinations to pursue their higher education and strengthen their personal and professional development.

It is in the DNA of Brandix to care for its people, the communities in which it serves and the planet. For over a decade and a half, the organisation has been committed towards social sustainability initiatives, anchored to the pillars of Provide, Educate and Engage. Under the umbrella of educate, in both Sri Lanka and India, the ‘School essentials’ programme provides children from pre-school to senior school with schoolbags, books and other necessities for the entire school year, and has benefitted over 45,000 children to date. Brandix has also provided hundreds of scholarships for the children of its own employees to pursue their higher education.

With the addition of the Manusathkara University Scholarship, Brandix further commits to continuous education and the pursuit of individual aspirations as an important feature of its CSR and HR strategies, and this is also aligned to Goal 4: Quality Education, of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Discussions to encompass Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives and policies

November 2022, Colombo Brandix Apparel Ltd. is gearing up to host its much-anticipated Sustainability Summit for 2022. Held for the second consecutive year, Brandix intends to focus this year’s iteration on discussions encompassing varied aspects of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) through this virtual summit.

Taking place on Tuesday 22nd of November 2022 from 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (IST), the virtual platform will bring together experts who will speak on pressing issues that we face in our world, with specific focus on manufacturing industries. Each of the speakers bring a wealth of knowledge in policies and initiatives at global, national, or organisational levels toward sustainable development, the risks that would be faced with insufficient focus on this crucial area, and the rewards that can be gained with steps forward.

This year’s panel of international speakers are devoted to true sustainable development and include, Claire Kells, Senior Manager Corporate Engagement – UN Global Compact; Ruby Ojha, Senior Environmental and Social Development Specialist ‘ International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group; and Tejas Sampat, Senior Director, Corporate Responsibility (SA) and Global Sustainability (Offshore) – PVH Corp.

The panellists will be backed by members of the team from Brandix, namely, Akila Fernando, Deputy General Manager, Group Engineering and Vinura Jayewardene, Group Sustainability Engineer, who will draw from examples of the organisation’s own sustainability framework anchored to the pillars of Air, Water and Earth.

In Brandix’s own social and environmental sustainability journey that spans over a decade and a half, significant milestones have been reached. These include the plant in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka being recognised as the world’s first Net Zero Carbon Apparel Manufacturing facility in 2019. This was not the first time the company broke new ground – In 2008, it’s factory in Seeduwa, Sri Lanka became the World’s first LEED Platinum certified facility under the US Green Building Council, and today the Group has multiple other LEED certified facilities across Sri Lanka and India. The lessons learnt and rewards will interest those in the manufacturing sphere in particular.

Brandix also works with the objective to make each location where it establishes its facilities, a better place than it was when we arrived, through enhancing the living conditions and wellbeing of the community, mapped to the pillars of Provide, Educate and Engage. In Sri Lanka, its flagship initiative of Water Projects has provided access to clean water for drinking and household needs to over a quarter of a million people, whilst in India free eye camps screen patients and extend medical support and spectacles, with over 35,000 beneficiaries to date.

With attendance figures exceeding the 1,000s for last year’s Summit, Brandix is confident that this year too, a global community of like-minded participants who strive to make an impact on our environment and society, will come together once again. It is expected that the Summit will unlock the power of sustainable growth through championing efforts to address critical issues, and to drive true impact across many industries.

Brandix extends the invitation to all those interested to follow their social media platforms for more details on this summit, and to join the discussion, listen to experts in the field and share views, as they unlock the power of sustainable growth.

The efforts of Brandix to conduct such an event of this scale reflects its work to move from commitments to actions and is parallel to its belief of caring for the people, communities in which it operates and the planet. Yet another significant depiction of this commitment is the company’s pledge to be Net Zero Carbon across all manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka by 2023, and all facilities in India by 2025.

UNDP-led Private Sector Giving Facility Launched

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 23 June 2022:  The health and food sectors are two of the most heavily affected by the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, with severe medical and food supply shortages, availability of basic pharmaceuticals and overall health and wellbeing continuing to be significantly affected.

In this backdrop, building on established partnerships and keen interests of various actors, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka has leveraged its experience to develop a giving facility, comprising of two mechanisms; Firstly, by channelling private sector funds towards procuring essential and non-essential medical supplies and address food security; and secondly, by channelling individual donations through a crowdfunding mechanism set up by UNDP.

In response, key private sector actors including Hemas Holdings PLC, Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company, Brandix Apparel Limited and Daraz Sri Lanka have come forward to pledge their commitment through the facility to complement and strengthen the ongoing health sector efforts of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) and food sector efforts led and coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) among others.  Sarvodaya, the United Nations Global Compact Network Sri Lanka and oDoc Sri Lanka will also come on board as Strategic Partners of the facility.

Speaking at the launch event held this evening, H.E. Ms. Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, Resident Coordinator, United Nations in Sri Lanka stated, “Now is the time for the private sector to show solidarity and prove what we have known all along ” investing in prevention is good for business. Therefore, we call on you to urgently support our Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) Plan to provide life-saving assistance to the women, men, and children most affected by the crisis and thus prevent a deterioration of humanitarian needs in the country.”

Reiterating the crucial importance of inter-agency collaboration for crisis relief, Mr. Dilhan C. Fernando, CEO, Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company stated, “Sri Lanka will rise again as businesses, individuals, local and international agencies work together with the government to ease the pain our nation is suffering. Circumstances demand that we all act with the kindness and empathy that Sri Lankans are known for. With this mindset, we will face the present and future crises with strength. We are blessed to have the possibility of helping at this time, and thank UNDP Sri Lanka for initiating this collaboration while inviting every business that can help, to support the effort.”

Highlighting the key role the private sector has historically played in humanitarian efforts, especially in times of crisis, Ms. Kasthuri Chellaraja Wilson, Executive Director, Group CEO, Hemas Holdings PLC mentioned, “As Sri Lanka navigates its worst economic crisis, Hemas remains committed to support our people and our country. Being the leader in Pharmaceuticals we are committed to support the most impacted vulnerable communities, and enable access to medicines. Our partnership with UNDP is in line with these efforts and we will focus on providing essential and near essential medicine to communities across the island”.

The launch event saw the participation of several high-level representatives from partnering organizations including Dr. Anver Hamdani, Director Medical Technical Services, Coordinating In Charge/ COVID-19, Ministry of Health; H.E. Ms. Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, Resident Coordinator, United Nations in Sri Lanka; Ms. Kasthuri Chellaraja Wilson, Executive Director, Group CEO, Hemas Holdings PLC; Mr. Dilhan C. Fernando, CEO, Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company; Ms. Natasha Boralessa, Group Director, Brandix Apparel Limited; Mr. Rakhil Fernando, Managing Director, Daraz Sri Lanka; Mr. Heshan Fernando, CEO and Co-Founder, oDoc Sri Lanka; Mr. Rathika de Silva, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka; Ms. Malin Herwig, Officer in Charge, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka; and Mr. Vimlendra Sharan, Representative for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Food and Agriculture Organization.

Speaking on the importance of addressing the need of the hour, Ms. Natasha Boralessa, Group Director, Brandix Apparel Limited stated, “The Inspired People of Brandix pledge our commitment to thoughtful solutions to the food security challenge we face as a nation. Through our Manusathkara initiative, we already uplift the lives of our employees and the communities in which we operate in with our Model Village programmes across Sri Lanka, and with this partnership with UNDP, we will infuse much-needed inputs for short and medium-term relief assistance to restoring seasonal agricultural cycles. Our efforts will create immediate impact to tackle the challenges at hand, and also drive positive sustainable change.”

Speaking on mobilizing the private sector beyond Sri Lanka, Mr. Rakhil Fernando, Managing Director, Daraz Sri Lanka stated, “Given the country’s development to middle-income status, mobilizing funds from beyond Sri Lanka will be challenging, but a concerted effort with international organizations like the UNDP to raise awareness of Sri Lanka’s humanitarian crisis among the global community is an important first step. We need to work to start the required conversations, explore all possible options and leverage our technology, markets, networks and resources to mobilize private sector funds outside of Sri Lanka.”

Reiterating UNDP’s convening role in the facility, Ms. Malin Herwig, Officer in Charge, UNDP in Sri Lanka stated, “The giving facility will provide vital health and food sector support, liaising closely with relevant partners on procuring and delivering based on clear requirements, in strict compliance with UND’s globally renowned procurement guidelines. UNDP through its overall response efforts towards Sri Lanka’s recovery has leveraged its prior experience and strong relationship with the private sector to kickstart this facility, and looks forward to engaging with further private sector actors in working closely with fellow UN agencies, committed to empowering and strengthening vulnerable communities.”

The individual crowdfunding facility will be launched in the coming weeks, which provides the opportunity for individuals to contribute towards alleviating the impacts of the crisis, not only through addressing shortages in the healthcare sector but also by contributing to strengthening food security and other response measures in Sri Lanka.

UNDP: UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
www.lk.undp.org

Rambukkana, June 7, 2022 – Brandix celebrates World Environment Day 2022 with the reforestation of a 10-acre area of land in Rambukkana, Sri Lanka in partnership with the Department of Forest Conservation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka. With care for the planet sewn into the very fabric of its business operations for over a decade and a half, the company continues its sustainability journey by planting 3000 ‘Gaaya’ trees on the land adjacent to the Brandix Essentials facility, in Rambukkana, with Nishantha Edirisinghe – Conservator of Forest, Department of Forest Conservation, Sampath Ranasinghe, Programme Coordinator (Energy & Waste) of UNDP in Sri Lanka, and Ahamed Ilthimas, Group Head – Engineering of Brandix also present at the event.

As a prerequisite for long-term growth and value creation for the business and its stakeholders, the company’s sustainability framework is anchored to the pillars of Air, Water and Earth. With care for its people, the communities in which it serves and the planet we live in at the core of all the company does, Brandix is driven by a purpose to champion sustainability.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vinura Jayewardene, Sustainability Environmental Engineer of Brandix had this to say. “Forests hosts most of the Earth’s terrestrial biodiversity and the plants that grow within are instrumental in mitigating climate change, providing quality water and enabling habitats for many pollinators essential for sustainable food production. In this light, feeding humanity and conserving ecosystems are complementary and interdependent goals.” Vinura spoke of the careful selection of the Gaaya plant for this reforestation as the fallen branches are popular firewood, supporting the community. “Given our current context in Sri Lanka with the prevailing energy and possible food crisis, there is no better time to play our part in giving back to the environment that, quite frankly, enables our very existence.”

Brandix has already demonstrated its strong commitment to sustainability, including with global benchmarks such as its factory in Batticaloa being recognised as the World’s first Net Zero Carbon apparel manufacturing facility in 2019, and the facility in Seeduwa being the World’s First LEED Platinum rated manufacturing facility in 2008.  Green buildings such as these have a profound effect in tackling climate change, and on the quality of people’s lives too. Going even beyond the focus of reducing negative impact, the company is now embracing many new initiatives such as this reforestation project in Rambukkana that positively impacts the environment, in its multi-pronged approach for truly transformative action.

“With the world on ‘code red’ due to climate change, and loss to nature and biodiversity around the world, this year’s World Environment Day 2022 campaign #OnlyOneEarth calls for?collective, transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet. UNDP in Sri Lanka has provided longstanding support to respond to the effects of climate change, and natural and man-made disasters, by exploring the potential of renewable energy while supporting reform and modernisation of environmental management systems and protecting our biodiversity. Through the ongoing partnership with Brandix, we look forward to creating lasting impacts for a sustainable Sri Lanka that is built on a green development pathway,” stated Malin Herwig, Officer in Charge, UNDP in Sri Lanka.

A deliberate move to regrow vegetation, usually lost due to human activity or natural calamity, reforestation helps bring back and preserves the balance in our surroundings. It is crucial to replenish the air we breathe by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through carbon sequestration, in addition to improving biodiversity in wildlife habitats, and soil fertility.

As a leading apparel manufacturer catering to world renowned brands, Brandix strongly believes in leading the way in sustainable manufacturing through long-term initiatives that positively impact climate change for its business, stakeholders, communities, and the planet. In the road ahead, the company will continue to drive sustainable business growth by continuously benchmarking its operations against global best practices through multi-stakeholder partnerships and in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Vinura Jayewardene, Sustainability Environmental Engineer of Brandix speaking at the ceremony

From left – Sampath Ranasinghe, Programme Coordinator (Energy & Waste) of UNDP in Sri Lanka, Ahamed Ilthimas, Group Head – Engineering of Brandix and Nishantha Edirisinghe – Conservator of Forest, Department of Forest Conservation

Ahamed Ilthimas, Group Head of Engineering of Brandix plants the first of 3,000 trees

 

Colombo, March 21, 2022 – This ‘World Water Day’ which falls on 22^nd March, Brandix recognises the importance of providing resources for clean water and sanitation to uplift the living standards of those in the community, and also the preservation of water to face the complex challenges of global climate change.

Over a decade and a half ago, Brandix committed to providing its employees and their families with access to clean water, under its Manusathkara initiative. With the completion of over 4,200 ‘Care for Our Own’ projects spanning across the country from Batticaloa to Koggala, the Brandix Group has ensured that all employees have access to clean water, for drinking and for household needs. In Sri Lanka and much of the developing world, the benefits of such programmes most significantly impact women and girls who would otherwise spend valuable time collecting water, thus preventing them from pursuing educational and economic opportunities.

Furthering its efforts beyond employees of Brandix, the ‘Model Village’ programme aims to resolve water-related issues faced by people living in close proximity to a Brandix factory. The Group supports both individuals and institutions such as schools, hospitals, community centres and places of worship, which are key to the wellbeing of society. Today, over a quarter of a million people benefit from the Model Village programme.

Both the Care for Our Own and Model Village programmes have been appreciated by the beneficiaries, especially in the pandemic situation, where the attention to hygiene plays a significant role in limiting the spread of COVID-19.

In celebration of World Water Day this year, Brandix will hand over a further 87 completed ‘Care for Our Own’ water projects to employees and their families. The Group has also partnered with the Department of National Community Water Supply and has initiated a wall art initiative at Model Village Schools. Themed ‘Water is Life’, this initiative aims to create awareness amongst the future generations on the importance of safeguarding water resources through a creative and engaging platform.

For truly transformative change, Brandix understands the equal importance of water in the light of care  for community and sustainable initiatives to conserve this scarce resource in response to climate change. The Group’s environmental sustainability framework is anchored to the pillars of Air, Water and Earth, and at its core is the aim to become a truly sustainable manufacturer leading the efforts to address the complex challenges that face the planet today.

A multi-pronged approach for resource optimisation is currently implemented and continuously enhanced, with the Group’s goal of achieving Zero Water Wastage by 2023. Recent highlights include several factories being added to the initiative of channeling condensed water recovery towards more effective use for the cooling towers of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems. As already implemented in the Batticaloa and Rambukkana manufacturing facilities, Brandix is also taking steps to roll out the Zero Liquid Discharge initiative to other locations, whilst rainwater harvesting infrastructure across the Group has also been further enhanced. Through these composite efforts, the Group has achieved a 19% reduction in water intensity for the financial year 2020/21.

As Brandix continues these efforts, the Group hopes to inspire more individuals and organisations to join hands and stitch care for the community and sustainability, into the very fabric of daily living and businesses.

Groupwide programme inspires thousands of Children to continue their education 

Avissawella, January 06, 2022 – Brandix Apparel Limited continued its annual ‘Ran Daru Thilina’ programme for the sixth consecutive year, providing 8,354 children of Brandix Associates with schoolbags and stationery items for the new school year. This year’s programme was held under the patronage of the Minister of Education Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, and attended by representatives from Brandix, BOI and government officials. Ran Daru Thilina has benefited over 37,000 children since its inception in 2016, and this year’s programme saw the presentation of stationery packs to 1,000 students from the community for the first time as the Group further extended its Manusathkara CSR efforts to inspire the education of future leaders.

Minister of Education, Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena shared his thoughts on Ran Daru Thilina, at the handover event. “A child’s education is not guaranteed just through free education and by building schools. We need to all get together as parents, teachers, as a society as a whole, to encourage the habit of education and learning to build a new generation that is ready to take on future challenges. The knowledge you gather becomes the foundation for your success and will stay with you forever. Hence, providing and supporting their education is the greatest gift a parent can give their child. Brandix has understood this well, and I want to thank the company on behalf of the Education Ministry and the Government for taking leadership and setting an example in supporting the continuation of children’s education through this initiative as well as other meaningful programmes,” the Minister stated.

Conceived as an initiative under the Educate pillar of Brandix’s Manusathkara CSR framework, Ran Daru Thilina has enriched the lives of the children of Brandix Associates from nursery to Grade 5 for the past six years. The schoolbags for children between Grades 3 – 5 contain exercise books, drawing books and other essential  stationery items, while the schoolbags of younger children also include modelling clay, scissors and crayons.

“Education is a key focus area of our CSR strategy,” said Malika Samaraweera, Head of CSR at Brandix, “and at Brandix, we believe in caring for our own. So Ran Daru Thilina is very important for us, as it enables a huge burden to be lifted from the shoulders of our own Associates, who otherwise have to deal with multiple book lists at the beginning of each school year. The company is invested in expanding Ran Daru Thilina to as many students as possible, and this year we started including students within the vicinity of our Avissawella plant and hope to gradually expand this to our other locations as well.”

In addition to Ran Daru Thilina, Brandix also has a scholarship scheme titled ‘Ran Daru Scholarships’, under which financial assistance is extended to the children of Associates at Grade 5, Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations, and ‘Ran Daru Abhises’ a scholarship designed to enable students selected to state universities to continue their higher education without hindrance, thereby strengthening the future learned workforce of the country.

   

Colombo, November 26, 2021 –Leading Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer Brandix was named ‘Exporter of the Year’ for the 7th time, winning the Award for 2019/20 at the 25th Presidential Export Awards 2019/20 and 2020/21. Organised by the Export Development Board, the event was held under the patronage of His Excellency President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The company celebrated the collective effort of its 60,000 Associates in cementing its position as the highest contributor to the national economy across all categories of exports during this period.

In addition to the title award for the year 2019/20, Brandix’s other awards included ‘Contributor from the Regions to the Export Supply Chain’, ‘Best Performing Exporter in Emerging Markets’ and the Sectoral Award for ‘Best Exporter Award, Apparel , Large Category’. For the period of 2020/21, the company also secured the Overall Award for ‘Contributor from the Regions to the Export Supply Chain’ award. Moreover, Brandix’s joint venture partner InQube Global was recognized with an Overall Award for the first time as the ‘Emerging Exporter of the Year’ for 2019/20.

Ashroff Omar, Group Chief Executive Officer, Brandix expressed gratification for the recognition. “Brandix’s DNA includes our values of respect, integrity, teamwork, and excellence and we believe that this inspires our team of 60,000 employees to deliver inspired solutions to world-renowned brands every day. We owe our success to the many hands and innovative minds that have shaped Brandix to be the leader in apparel it is today, and we are humbled to be able to support the national economy while uplifting livelihoods of thousands and driving sustainable development in the process.”

The Presidential Export Awards are the most prestigious awards presented by the President to exporters in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the export sector and to the economic development of the country. The Awards for the year 2019/20 and 2020/21 were presented in two main categories with 12 overall awards, as well as 53 sectoral awards for products and services for each financial year.

Brandix is a leader in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry with a purpose to ‘deliver Inspired Solutions through Inspired People.’ The company has delivered apparel solutions to world-renowned brands for nearly 50 years and employs more than 60,000 across nine countries. On a journey to be the most sustainable apparel manufacturer in the region, Brandix strives to inspire real change across every point of its operations and all its stakeholders.

 

Colombo, October 18, 2021 –Leading Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer Brandix has embarked on a journey to strengthen the company’s gender equality policies and procedures with technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to support and provide an inspiring workplace culture for its employees.

In line with this agreement, Brandix together with UNFPA, the lead UN Agency working towards prevention and response to gender-based violence in Sri Lanka, will collaborate to build awareness on the Abuse and Harassment-Free Policy for Brandix. This will entail reviewing the carefully developed policy of Brandix, providing technical assistance for further enhancement and delivery, and conducting sensitization and training sessions for internal stakeholder groups.

Navchaa Suren, Representative a.i. for UNFPA in Sri Lanka, and Ishan Dantanarayana, Group Chief People Officer of Brandix, formally signed the agreement on the collaboration.

As an organization with nearly 90% female representation across its employee base, Brandix’s zero-tolerance Abuse and Harassment-Free Policy and grievance procedure enables employees to report any form of abuse or harassment in the workplace. The Policy extends Brandix’s Code of Conduct and goes into depth on how everyone must be treated with dignity, equality, respect, and ethics – and the importance of personal and organizational accountability in ensuring a safe and inclusive workplace for all.

“As a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), Brandix has always strived to operate in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and this policy is one such significant step towards achieving SDGs 5 and 8, ‘Gender Equality’ and ‘Decent Work & Economic Growth’. Female employees represent the majority of our organization’s workforce and ensuring a respectful and safe work environment is a commitment we consistently strive to deliver on. We greatly value the technical support and guidance from UNFPA to align Brandix’s gender equality policies with global best practices. We will ensure that it is effectively actioned and continue our efforts to provide an inclusive work environment for our team members with their wellbeing as our priority,” stated Ishan Dantanarayana, Group Chief People Officer at Brandix.

Navchaa Suren, Representative a.i. for UNFPA in Sri Lanka stated, “Gender equality is a human right. Women are entitled to live with dignity, and freedom from want and from fear. It is also a precondition for advancing development and the eradication of poverty, as empowered women can contribute more productively to communities and nations. UNFPA is pleased to provide technical support to Brandix to roll out its Abuse and Harassment-Free Policy.”

Over the ensuing months, Brandix will focus on increasing awareness and sensitivity to abuse and harassment in the workplace through focused training programs conducted with the support of UNFPA. With values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence (RITE) ingrained in its DNA, Brandix will continue to work towards an inspiring workplace for all – devoid of any bias or discrimination and committed to inclusivity.