.� � � у.. 1 .. . .�. . �ь �� �4 � �i � � � � , 1� ' r � ,' ti, � ,t � � . " г ..е 1т ' . � Й � 1N F г ' �� � + А.� _ � � �s �� .г. ���� `r � ч � , `, �/зк � �,� �. �.�^ а а � у�'" � �- �, t� , �;� �'��. � - � , . � - " � ° А" � r � - -�� �� I� ��+..�+ - � - ,_.` � ,� -�- - ,��'�' � к � � .� , • �.�л,. ��� � ��, _ -� ,,; � . �� . � �' � , � '� `�-� � �._ � � � � { � � � �� ,� �� Э - � ' � р � д М� . '� �� ` у � а� � '`�� , _ � � .. � .' . .� M1 � � ` т 5 � + �. � %.� �Г � � �ь �; 4 _,�. . _� � * � ..- � . � . . Ч'�"'� } � .�..� � : . ,. .. � �� � � � 4 4 � iVE ', � l . �. �.... . R. � +"�'�� wок�овликсггоиа `� Creating Markets, Creating Opportunities ABOUT IFC IFC a sister organization ofthe World Bank and member ofthe World Bank Group---Js the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in the toughest areas ofthe world. In fiscal year 2018, we delivered more than $23 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power ofthe private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit ABOUT IFCS WOMEN IN WORK PROGRAM IN SRI LANKA The I FC-led Women in Work (WW) Program, a four year program valued at US$11.Smn and funded bythe Australian Government, launched in April 2017 It is I FCs largest, standalone country based gender program, working with private sector companies to close gender gaps while improving business performance. The program, which benefits from mu Itsector program design and works closely with the World Bank on research, tackles women's access to jobs and assets at the same time. It aims to increase women's work-force participation in Sri Lanka's private sector, create more and betterjobs for women, and has the potential to increase company profits and drive overall economic growth. WW also contributes to the vision ofthe Government of Sri Lanka where all citizens can achieve higher incomes and better standards of living by202S Access to quality chilocare services is a key constraint on women's labor force participation. Following I FCs global Tackling Childcare initiative, this report highlights Sri Lanka-specific data, experiences and resources on employer-supported childcare and may not only be relevant to individual businesses but can also serve as a resource for special economic zones, Information Technology (IT) parks and other consortium models. This case study is one of10 featured in the report "Tackling Childcare: The Business Case for Employer-supported Childcare in Sri Lanka", available at COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER NOTICE V International Finance Corporation 2018. All rights reserved. 2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433 USA Internet The material in this work is copyrighted. Copying and/or transmitting portions or a I I ofthis work without permission maybe a violation ofapplicable law. I FC encourages dissernination of its work and will normally grant permission to reproduce portions ofthe work promptly, and when the reproduction is for educational and non-commercial purposes, without a fee, subject to such attributions and notices aswe may reasonably require. 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Additional ly, "I Internationa I Finance Corporation" and "I FC" are registered trademarks of I FC and are protected under internationa I law. December2018 Sri Lanka's only Fair-trade Guaranteed Company Investing in Childcare Selyn Exporters (Pvt) Ltd engages the traditional Sri Lankan Creating an enabling environment for women to access community of handloom weavers in producing fashion items and stay at work is an integral part of Selyn's work ethic. and accessories, home products, toys and fabrics and was For example, Sri Lanka's official school times/schedule is founded in 1991 by Sandra Wanduragala. Sri Lanka's only not very conducive for parents who want to also pursue a fair-trade guaranteed handloom company started working fulltime job and career. Selyn starts its hours of operations with IS women in the village of Wanduragala (close to at 8:00 a.m. so that parents can drop their child to school Kurunegala, the capital city of Sri Lanka's North Western and come to work. This enables them to work part-time in Province) and has since grown into a network of around the factories as wel as benefit from the homeworker model. 1000 workers (90 percent women 3) across the island. The employees work until 12 noon and pick up their child. To date, Selyn exports its fair-trade products to Facilities such as a breast-feeding room and a doctor on 40 countries around the world4 and at the same time call are also available at the factory. Furthermore, they retails in premium locations across the country. provide childcare or day care facilities at some of their village-based workshops where culturally women To be able to meet the export demand for its products, (especially young mothers) do not typically work outside Selyn has established independent workshops in handloom their homes and alternative childcare facilities are villages in the rural outskirts of the Northwestern, Eastern non-existent or expensive. This is also an essential and Southern Provinces of Sri Lanka in an attempt to move component of Selyn's recruitment and retention strategy away from a centralized model to one where artisans can as Selyn is particularly keen and aware that it needs to reach within the comfort of their own homes. In addition, attract younger artisans/workers to join the trade in order they have a 200-strong homeworker model, which allows to maintain a sustainable business model. women to work from home or work part-time at the factories. Selyn currently owns 6 factories including a state Kumbukgette, the company's largest weaving village, has of the art dye facility. They operate as a social enterprise over 35 weavers. Here Se lyn introduced a daycare center and hope to not only empower the artisans financially, in 2013 for children from the ages of 3-5 years old. In 2018, but to also create a way of life within which they are to cater to school going children of 6 to 8 years, Selyn also comfortable. developed a concept named "Kids Club" in addition to the daycare center. The "Kids Club" was launched to enable weavers' children to come to the factory after school. Today, both facilities are occupied by 10 children. There is a qualified teacher who supports the children with educational activities and afterschool homework. Parents undergo an orientation program for themselves prior to enrolling their child(ren) with both facilities, which helps them understand the safety guidelines, early childhood education and other skills that will be taught. The costs of running the facilities (at Ps 4000/per child/month respectively) are fully borne by the Selyn Foundation.' Selyn hopes to extend this service to children up to 18 years as they see that o der children too, especia ly young girls, would benefit from being close to their parents during and after school hours. Selyn found that their childcare strategy and support has been paying off. Their employees were worried about informal care arrangements for their children during working hours as younger children are often left with relatives (mostly grandparents) which is common but can be unreliable and, in some cases, unsafe. In addition to benefiting the community and well-being of local children, Selyn sees a clear business rationale for the day care center and Kids Club as it has resulted in reduced absenteeism, increased staff productivity and retention of skilled workers (specifically female workers with children), and lower staff turnover costs. 02 In addition to chi dcare support, Selyn found ways to further enhance their "employer of choice" brand. For people working at Selyn's village centers, the company provides bicycles for easier commute. In addition, health camps, life skills, leadership and entrepreneurship development programs are offered. The life skills programs range from how to deal with pertinent social issues such as domestic abuse, alcoholism, women's heath and balancing workwith their personal ives. The leadership and entrepreneurship programs are specifically designed for selected leaders and include sessions on business skills. Selyn also provides its workers free legal advice, financial management programs, access to finance and voluntary savings schemes, the latter being delivered in partnership with SANASA Development Bank (SDB), an IFC client company and SheWorks Sri Lanka member.6 Selyn's management is particularly focused on increasing the satisfaction and productivity of its employees while giving back to the community. The company has positioned itself as an employer of choice for working parents (not only from rural communities) and acts as a role model for other mid-sized companies. I IC. 2017 Government of Australia Partner to Support More and Betterlsobs for Women in Sri Lanka. 2 Offece of the Prime Minister. 2017 Vsion 2025. A Country Enritned. See page 26. 3 Women Talk."Selyna Penrs."November 15, 2017 5 The Selyn Foundation as set up assa non-profit end the primary donor is Selyn Exporters (Pvt) Ltd which donates 1% of its turnover to the funo. In addition, the company runs a fair-trade tourism project where all profits are donated to tne foundation. 6 Women Talk"Selyna Peiris." November 15, 2017. 03 The DFAT -FC Women in Work program Sri Lanka, in partnership with leading private ý IM FCsector companies, aims to demonstrate that corporate performance can improve from Creating Markets, Creting Opportunities closing gaps between women and men in the private sector.