Mouka, Nigeria leading brand of mattresses, has highlighted the need to redefine employees’ welfare and workplace sustainability to overcome significant hurdles for businesses.
The bedding company also stated that employee well-being and engagement can drive organisational sustainability.
Speaking at the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Employers’ Federation (CANMPEF) in Lagos, managing director of Mouka Limited, Femi Fapounda detailed the company’s comprehensive approach to creating a workplace that thrives on employee satisfaction and productivity.
He underscored the impact of inflation and the higher cost of living in the country while stressing that the company’s arrowhead and valuable nuggets continues to maintain its reputation as an employer of choice in the industry.
He said, “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.”
“The scope of activities for this initiative includes team bonding, cross-functional competitions, awards, recognitions, and many others that are targeted at engaging and exciting the workforce,” he added.
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.
Second, we also introduced a fuel subsidy allowance to alleviate the financial burden on the Mouka people. Third, 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, Fapohunda said.
It is worth noting that Mouka is still prioritising sustainability while reducing operational costs to improve business efficiency. The MD mentioned that the company has begun transitioning its fleet to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles.
He shared more insights on how Mouka has redefined employee welfare despite the harsh economy. “Aside from transportation, another burden for our people is food.
To address this, we increased the meal subsidies provided by the company 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. 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
When speaking about key stakeholder management, Mouka’s MD shared the company’s strategy, “to maintain industrial harmony, Mouka engages in quarterly proactive sessions with union and staff representatives.
These discussions help to address potential conflicts, foster loyalty, and cultivate a sense of belonging. Additionally, the company provides industrial relations training for union leaders, ensuring productive and informed dialogue.”
Speaking about capacity building as a key ingredient for job satisfaction, the company is said to have 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,” he explained.
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 highlighted the importance of mental health support, noting that the company offers counselling services and other mental health resources to ensure employees feel emotionally and physically supported.
In his closing remarks, Fapohunda stressed the importance of maintaining fair compensation during economic hardships.
Fapohunda’s presentation underscored that a business’s survival and growth depend heavily on its human capital. By focusing on the “three Ps” of People, Planet, and Profit, Mouka proves that sustainable human resource practices are beneficial and essential.
The company’s commitment to employee well-being, adaptability, and transparency is a benchmark for other organisations in the manufacturing sector.
Mouka’s approach demonstrates that prioritising employees is a winning strategy even in economic downturns. As businesses grapple with uncertainty, the company’s model provides a blueprint for building resilient, employee-centric workplaces that drive long-term success.