::Staff welfare/training::

The welfare of the employees is not far from the lip of the management. It may interest you to know that African Textile manufacturers Ltd is one of the few private sectors in Kano that adopt the national minimum wage without resorting to retrenchment of workers. Rather, jobless youths are being employed on daily basis into the company to compliment the effort of the government on its youth employment scheme (YES) or the Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP). This is despite the unfavourable economic climate that hinders the smooth operation of textile industries. It is also the company’s objective to train its staff to ensure operational efficiency and career development. The training is designed to ensure that employees acquire sound technical know-how. Most importantly, the company provides enabling environment that serves as catalyst for productive human resources. The company strongly believes and she is aware of the importance of staff motivation. Hence, she has always been willing to listen and promote the aspiration of her employees towards enhancing staff motivation and productivity. We have sponsored many Nigerian Managers in the company in outside trainings and seminars. For instance, in 1998, we sent a computer CAD operator to Italy for six weeks training in computer application. All new employees, on their arrival are normally given induction training to sensitise them about the company’s environment. Fire fighting techniques are also inculcated to workers in case of any fire outbreak. We have skills evaluation system that evaluates workers performances from time to time. All these were in realization of the company’s belief in equipping her employees with knowledge and technical know-how. In essence, our company has contributed and is still contributing immensely towards the growth of labour, employment and productivity in the country. The company therefore plays fundamental role in educating workers the need for systematic handling of machines. This is because it is our moral obligation to ensure that workers are safe. To achieve this objective, the company adheres strictly to safety regulations and bought safety wears such as hand gloves, boots, nose masks, uniform, etc in addition to regular in house training on the need for industrial safety and security. In order to have a secured working environment, any of the factory worker stands the risk of loosing his job if he fails to make use of the safety wears provided by the company. We are doing a lot in this aspect.

::Staff motivation::

In addition to training of staff for job retention, the company ensures regular payment of salary and over time, provision of medical facilities, payment of loans and advances, provision of transport system, payment of yearly bonus both in cash and in kind and payment of furniture grant. There is also an improved workers-management relation through the unionizing of the workforce and the existence of company’s quarterly news, an avenue created for the workers to evaluate management’s performances. We have dispensary for workers medical facilities. In this dispensary, we have an MBBS doctor that takes care of the patients. The company has outside clinics for special treatments. It gives serious consideration for workers’ security and safety. It is therefore the belief of the company that when workers work in safe environment, they feel morally secured within the work place. In this regard, we have first aid kits provided in all Departments and 24 hours medical service in our dispensary. All these, in addition of being a catalyst for productive human relations, create and maintains enabling environment for workers. The company is doing its best to increase productivity of its labour force