Bodyline garments, trend setter in innovation, exports, staff welfare and CSR

As soon as the Pandemic began and corporate and companies were looking at hospitals to treat- their C-19 infected staff. Bodyline garments in Horana came out with a first of its kind initiative in Sri Lanka -to resolve this problem by taking over two four star hotels in Koggala and converting them to COVID intermediate treatment centers-, said Venura Attanayake, Director of Human Resources and Sustainable Business, Bodyline.

Venura Attanayake

Suranga Wijetunga

“Our C-19 treatment program was not confined to our staff but we went out of our way and even housed- their C-19 positive family members in these two four staff hotels shouldering the total financial obligation in this regard. “There were no pay cuts or staff retrenchment as well. In addition to those family members staying at home we provided them dry rations and met all their other requirements.”

He also said that Bodyline also created history by becoming the first in the industry to provide the C-19 vaccinations to their 18 to 60 year ol–d staff by offering the service from the factory premises itself long before the vaccination process for youth commenced. In addition we also went out of our way to look after the education aspect of our employee’s children from Grades 6 to GCE O/L and initiated one line classes by hiring teachers. “This process is ongoing and over 1,000 students are now linked to this initiative.”

Bodyline, has been in constant touch with the Pimbura Base Hospital and have been engaged in many CSR initiatives with them.

Recently Bodyline donated a 3000 litre oxygen tank with the support of three Bodyline factories led by the MAS leadership, responding to the urgent need for oxygen supply to COVID-19 patients in the area. The oxygen tank was provided on the request of the hospital management who raised concern on limitations in critical care faced by patients of the Pimbura Base Hospital amidst the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dinesh de Silva, CEO of Bodyline, along with Samantha Seneviratne, Director of Manufacturing and Venura Attanayake, Director of Human Resources and Sustainable Business from Bodyline as well as Eranga Weerasinghe, General Manager of Operations and Kamani Gunasekara, Manager of Human Resources at Bodyline II were present at the handing over. Government officials from the Ministry of Health, officials too were present.

“We are proud of our effort at Bodyline in providing oxygen to critical patients in the Pimbura District Area,” said Attanayake. “At this time of need, MAS is determined to be of value and service to the communities we operate in.” he added. This project follows the donation of a 6,000 litre oxygen plant by MAS to the Kuliyapitiya Hospital earlier this year. MAS has also set up a number of Intermediate Care Centers across the island with special medical facilities to accommodate the needs of COVID-19 patients including employees of MAS, their families and other residents of the area.

Commenting on the C-19 work model Suranga Wijetunga, Manager Human Resources of Bodyline said that they strictly adhere to health guidelines and implements a shift based work pattern where the groups do not meet each other “We have over 180 transport routes and vehicles and staff have to sit in the dedicated seat which is encircled. In their work stations, canteen too this model is followed- while they also have dedicated changing rooms and toilets. We also invested in changing our AC system installing germ killers in them.”

Staff also has a modern medical facility with three beds to ensure the safety of staff.

One of the oldest employees in the factory Sita Iranganie said that the C-19 management is of very high standard and it gives them a sense of security which is very important for them.

One of the newest employees to join the company, S. Priyadharashanie said that the shift schedule of Bodyline is ideal for her house –routine and this is why she joined Bodyline. “Also other fellow employees also held this company in high esteem which enticed me to join and I am happy with the- decision.”