Local button manufacturer pledges to promote gender equality
BULAWAYO – Sole manufacturer of buttons in the country, Light Gear Trading, has revealed plans to employ more women as the company is working towards expanding its scale of operations. This revelation came out during a familiarization tour of the company by the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honorable Judith Ncube.
Minenhle Moyo
The firm currently employs eight women out of twenty-six employees, and has vowed to promote gender equality through employing more female workers.
The Human Resources Manager of the company said the company has a strong history of being an equal opportunities employer but due to the economic meltdown, most women left their jobs as the company could no longer meet their financial needs.
“As a company we had so many female workers that used to work in the facility. We were conscious about gender sensitivity as we employed equal numbers of men and women. Most women left because they were no longer being paid and staff was retrenched during the 2008 period.”
“The machines that are used here to produce these buttons are not difficult to operate. Everyone is able to use them, whether it is a woman or a man. We are now emphasizing on employing more women as their responsibilities include taking care of their families,” he said.
Mary Phiri who works in the production department concurred by stating that they did not have any problems with operating machinery and called for the addition of more women in the company.
“We do not have any problems and the machinery that we use in the production process is user friendly and can be used by anyone. As we expand our production, I urge our employers to give women the same opportunities of employment because they need financial stability as primary caregivers,” said Phiri.
Prisca Fuyane, who is the store manager of Light Gear Trading highlighted that the company promoted equal opportunities for both men and women.
“Before the 2008 economic downturn, our company employed more women than men. But most of them resigned in pursuit of greener pastures as the economy was no longer conducive for sustaining their livelihoods. Going forward the company intends to ensure gender equality in its employment,” she said.
The company’s General Manager, Mzingaye Mdlauzi said the company is eyeing involvement in the weekly foreign currency auction system so as to improve the company’s ability to import the necessary machinery and raw materials for button production.
“We are encouraging our employees to work hard and are assuring our customers that we can produce quality work. In the end, this will help us to acquire adequate resources to participate in the foreign currency auction system.”
The Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Judith Ncube applauded the firm for its resilience in light of the trying times that firms are facing due to the corona virus.
“I would like to commend and applaud Light Gear Trading for its resilience and the patience to stay in business when other firms are not in business. I urge you to approach other business partners, and seek assistance from government so that you get more resources and finances that will help you to be listed in the foreign currency auction system,”
Light Gear Trading company supplies buttons to clothing manufacturers. However, acquiring raw materials is a challenge as these are imported from other countries with foreign currency. The firm exports buttons to countries such as Mozambique, Zambia among other others, as such the need to scale up operations and employment of more employees.