Despite the prevailing economic challenges that have posed significant hurdles for businesses, Mouka Limited has redefined employee welfare and prioritised sustainability while reducing operational costs to improve business efficiency.
The Managing Director of Mouka Limited, Femi Fapohunda, made this known while speaking at the 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Employers’ Federation (CANMPEF) held in Lagos, during the week.
He said despite the impact of soaring inflation and its attendant higher cost of living, Mouka, manufacturer of household and industrial foam products, and a member of Dolidol International Group, continues to maintain its reputation as an employer of choice in Nigeria’s sleep industry.
“At Mouka, our people come first. We approach employee wellbeing holistically by prioritising their welfare and safety. This has resulted in the implementation of various innovative initiatives, such as Project Rainbow, which fosters camaraderie and synergy company-wide,” Fapohunda said.
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Giving more details of the company’s comprehensive approach to creating a workplace that thrives on employee satisfaction and productivity, the Mouka MD said the scope of activities for Project Rainbow includes team bonding, cross-functional competitions, awards, recognitions, and many others that are targeted at engaging and exciting the workforce.
“Employee welfare is high on our agenda. We looked at the big-ticket items consuming our people’s wages and identified transportation, which is at an all-time high due to the hike in fuel prices. First, we rolled out a staff bus service that covers all the major routes where our people live across all three of our plant locations nationwide,” he stated.
Secondly, Mouka, according to Fapohunda, introduced a fuel subsidy allowance to alleviate the financial burden on its people.
Thirdly, in recognising the importance of adaptability in a challenging economy, the company also adopted hybrid work models for support staff, providing flexibility and helping employees achieve a better work-life balance while saving transportation costs.
The Mouka MD, while sharing more insights on how Mouka has redefined employee welfare despite the harsh economy, said aside from transportation, the company addressed the issue of food, which is another burden for its people, by increasing the meal subsidies it provides, while also providing bags of rice quarterly for all staff, irrespective of cadre.
Fapohunda emphasized that ensuring employee safety is non-negotiable, particularly in the manufacturing sector, where workplace injuries can have severe repercussions. He said Mouka’s robust health and safety policies reduce injury-related costs and improve employee morale.
“Maintaining a strong focus on health and safety, even during economic downturns, ensures a reliable workforce and minimises operational downtime,” he said
The MD also mentioned that the company has begun transitioning its fleet to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles.
He added that the company maintains industrial harmony by engaging in quarterly proactive sessions with union and staff representatives, noting that such discussions and engagements help to address potential conflicts, foster loyalty, and cultivate a sense of belonging.
Additionally, the company, Fapohunda said, provides industrial relations training for union leaders, ensuring productive and informed dialogue.
In a bid to leverage capacity building as a key ingredient for job satisfaction, the MD said Mouka established the Mouka Academy, an internal training faculty designed to address organisational, behavioural, and functional training needs.
Employees also benefit from executive training at the Lagos Business School and a Learning Management System that promotes continuous learning.
“By investing in re-skilling and up-skilling, we enable our workforce to handle multiple roles, creating flexibility and resilience within our team,” Fapohunda explained.
He also said transparency is a cornerstone of Mouka’s human resource strategy, which promotes job satisfaction. Regular communication about company decisions, financial status, and future plans helps build trust and mitigate employee anxiety.
Fapohunda stressed the importance of maintaining fair compensation during economic hardships, noting that rather than resorting to drastic measures like layoffs, Mouka has focused on adjusting benefits strategically, ensuring employees feel valued and supported even in tough times.
His presentation underscored that a business’s survival and growth depend heavily on its human capital, and that by focusing on the “three Ps” of People, Planet, and Profit, Mouka proves that sustainable human resource practices are beneficial and essential.
