Interloop truly believes that empowering women through employment and skill enhancement not only helps them achieve financial stability for themselves and their families but also makes them a productive member of the society.
Enhancing Female Participation
To improve gender parity within the organization, Interloop has taken a strategic decision to increase the percentage of women in executive & non-executive teams, in various grades including managerial roles and working cadres. The percentage of women in executive and non-executive teams has increased by 195% and 114% respectively, since FY 2016.
Reconnect Program for Female Employees
Through the ‘Reconnect Program’, female staff members who have completed 3 years’ service with the company and have to leave their jobs due to family requirements can reconnect with their careers after having a break. Five female employees have re-joined Interloop under this reconnect program since FY 2018.
Grievance Handling
Standard Operating Procedures for Grievance Handling are in place and special positions of Management Representatives have been created at all plant who are always accessible to every employee for handling any grievance or complaint regarding work, working environment, welfare, discipline, etc.
Female Management Representatives (MR) have been placed at all plants who are always easily accessible for all employee and effectively handle any grievance or complaint regarding work, working environment, welfare, discipline, etc.
Interloop Join Hands with IFC-PBC to
Promote Family-Friendly Practices at Workplace
Interloop is among the 14 companies in Pakistan to participate in the first-ever private sector peer-learning collaboration led by IFC & PBC, to create better career opportunities by providing a family-friendly practice workplace. Under this initiative, IFC, PBC, CatCo Kids, Ubuntu Care, National Commission on the Status of Women & UNICEF Pakistan will provide advice on childcare needs assessments & conduct a series of events to expand learning & share knowledge on family-friendly practices.
Day Care Centers
To provide ease of mind to working mothers regarding their young children, world-class Day Care Centers are in place at all Interloop manufacturing Plants where the executive and non-executive female employees comfortably leave their children, while at work. Experienced Nannies take good care of children according to their play, rest and meal timings. The international standard infrastructure includes study, play and rest areas, and trained teachers ensure quality pre-primary education and development of these children through curricular and extracurricular activities. Company doctor performs periodic check-ups of these children to warrant that they stay in good health.
Extended Maternity Leave
In addition to the entitled leaves, if a female employee requires further leave due to her or her newborn’s health issue, she can avail another 4 weeks leave at half pay.
Employing Females in Non-traditional
Areas
Pursuing our People goals, women are now represented in every department and also in non-traditional roles including knitting planners, knitting operators, and stitching machines operators, previously considered male-dominant areas. 54 females with STEM degrees are working at Interloop including 31 textile, electrical and industrial engineers. Several policies & practices have been instituted to recruit and train females in non-traditional jobs.
Other Initiatives for Female Employees
- Free and safe pick & drop has been expanded to more remote areas
- Focused trainings and recreational & sports activities
- Membership of compliance committees such as Workers Management Council, Environment Health & Safety Committee, etc.
- Presence of Female Welfare Officers at all manufacturing plants to facilitate grievance management of female employees
