Hayleys Group launches year-long engagement program for World AIDS week

The Hayleys Group initiated a series of activities in commemoration of World AIDS Week on 3 December 2012, with the objective of driving awareness within each of its diverse sectors of enterprise.

The move follows the conglomerate’s recent ‘passing the pillow’ ceremony in September by the Lanka Business Coalition (LBCH) which symbolises the passing on of awareness on HIV/AIDS.

At a formal ceremony, the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Hayleys Group, Mohan Pandithage signed a workplace HIV/AIDS policy, which formalises and provides clarity on the conglomerate’s position and practices as they relate to HIV and AIDS.

Pandithage welcomed the initiative, stating that increased awareness of HIV/AIDS would ultimately have a positive effect on the wellbeing of employees and productivity. “Although Sri Lanka is a low prevalence country, the number of reported cases is on a steady increase. The issue of HIV and AIDS in the workplace is of significance to us as one of Sri Lanka’s largest employers and it is significant to the health and safety of our 36,000-strong workforce, their families and extended communities.”

The group’s year-long commitment was kick-started with an afternoon awareness session, for executives facilitated by LBCH and conducted by volunteers from Standard Chartered Bank. Selected AIDS Awareness Champions from each sector participated in the session, with the objective of spearheading future programs and activities within their respective workplaces and local communities.

As part of this intention to ‘pass the pillow’ to all sectors, the red pillow was ceremonially handed over to Dipped Products (DPL) Managing Director Dr. Ranasoma, in recognition of the company’s early foresight and commitment towards raising awareness in its manufacturing locations, supply chain and communities.

Adjudged Sri Lanka’s Best Corporate Citizen four times, the Hayleys Group employs more than 30,000 people, and accounts for 2.51% of the country’s export income.