BoI sets up daycare centre within EPZ to retain workforce

28 August 2015 05:46 am

Sri Lanka’s state-run apex investment promotion body, Board of Investments (BoI), has resorted to innovative ways to retain workforce and spruce up the image of its Export Processing Zones (EPZs). 
With the assistance of the Manufacturer’s Association of the Katunayake Export Processing Zone (KPEZ), the first such zone to be established in the country, the BOI has set up a day care centre within the KPEZ premises.
“This day care centre is very significant as it provides considerable assistance to skilled female workers who found it difficult in the past to work and bring up their children at the same time. Many well trained employees were forced to stop working due to this problem,” a BOI statement said. 
KEPZ Manufacturers Association President Fazal Abdeen said that this proposal had been discussed for some time as it would help build the image of Sri Lanka’s zones, provide assistance to workers and also ensure employee retention by the KEPZ enterprises. 
At the initial stage, the day care centre will accommodate a total of 50 children between the age group of 2 and 5 years. This intake is expected to increase with the demand. 
The facility will be provided with frequent visits by doctors to take care of the health requirements of the children.  The centre will also have educational and recreational facilities.
The BOI and the enterprises will monitor the centre to ensure high standards of service.