Ten Sri Lankan firms recognised for strict adherence to good international practices
Ten companies were rewarded with Compliance + certificates under a new scheme by the Employers Federation of Ceylon (EFC) in Colombo this week to give recognition and stability to local businesses in keeping in line with international business practices.They are 99 Technologies, Aitken Spence Garments Ltd, Acqa Packaging Ltd, Cargills Quality Dairy Ltd, Ceylon Hospitals (Durdans), Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Diesel and Motor Engineering Plc, Linea Acqua (Pvt) Ltd, Nice Old Diamonds (Pvt) Ltd and Kingsbury Hotel.
Winners. Pic by Amila Gamage
The Compliance + website was launched by John Keells Holdings Chairman Susantha Ratnayake on this occasion.
He said global markets are extremely competitive and complex and to compete effectively Sri Lanka needs to adopt practices that are in line with international practices.
“I would encourage more Sri Lankan employers to participate in this initiative to show that Sri Lankan employers are responsible in their obligations to its employees. We need to ask companies to showcase these good practices so that other companies too will follow them,” he said.
ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives Donglin Li said that despite Sri Lanka’s impressive economic indicators there have been some challenges with regard to non compliance of international obligations in the last couple of years. “As you know growth and sustainability not only requires economic efficiency in enterprises but also requires compliance with labour, social and environmental standards to meet the expectations of the world community”.
He said the EFC is leading the way for its members to be aware of complying with international labuor standards that does not jeopardize business but rather promote business with high compliance and competitiveness.
“It is evident that labour issues and working conditions have become clear denominations to trading arrangements across the globe. Buyers today scrutinise working conditions that suppliers provide to workers. Consumer movements too campaign to restrict products that doesn’t comply with labour rights and trade agreements between countries that include labour clauses,” he said.
Outgoing EFC Director-General Ravi Peiris, who will soon join the ILO office in New Delhi, said there are many international standards that strive to create social accountability while some advocate good employment practices. “Today we have a home grown brand that provides the impetus for Sri Lankan business to successfully compete internationally. We have for the first time an employers’ organization initiating an employer branding based on an independent audit carried out in respect of four areas of employment,” he said.
He said when Compliance + was launched last October the contribution of the private sector to the development of the Sri Lanka economy remained very much an unsung melody.
“It was time that we recognised the champions who have shown that good employment practices, a bedrock of sustainable enterprises. Compliance + is a brand that is transparent, credible and will be awarded to 10 enterprises that have qualified for certification,” he added.
Incoming EFC Director General Kaniska Weeresinghe also spoke.