MAS Holdings diversity and inclusion initiatives are reshaping workplace culture across Sri Lanka and beyond, embedding equity, representation, and opportunity into every level of the business. The company’s strategic approach integrates measurable goals, leadership accountability, and community engagement, reflecting a commitment to sustainable, inclusive growth. These efforts position MAS Holdings as a leader in driving systemic change in the apparel and manufacturing sectors.
MAS Holdings’ diversity and inclusion efforts set industry benchmarks in Sri Lanka
MAS Holdings has long championed diversity and inclusion as central to its organizational philosophy, reflecting a belief that equitable workplaces drive innovation, resilience, and performance. With operations across 13 countries and a workforce of over 95,000 employees—70 percent of whom are women—the company has woven inclusivity into the fabric of its business, from production floors to boardrooms.
The organization’s appointment as Patron of the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka further amplifies its influence, enabling MAS Holdings to mentor other companies and advocate for inclusion as a core business strategy. Deputy Head of Gender Equity and Code of Conduct, Thanuja Jayawardena, emphasized that inclusion is embedded in the company’s sustainability framework, forming a critical part of both team development and societal contribution.
At the core of MAS Holdings’ approach is its Sustainability Strategy, anchored in three pillars: Product, Lives, and Planet. The company’s Equal Opportunity and Anti-Harassment Policy ensures that all employees—regardless of gender, age, nationality, sexual orientation, or language—are treated with dignity and fairness. Annual awareness programs and structured consequence management reinforce these commitments, while performance metrics tied to leadership accountability ensure that inclusion is more than policy—it is measurable action.
Gender equity has been a longstanding priority at MAS Holdings. Since 2003, the Women Go Beyond (WGB) program has provided over 5.5 million opportunities for women employees, focusing on career advancement, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and wellbeing. In 2024 alone, more than 300,000 women participated in training programs spanning life skills, health education, and gender-based violence awareness. Leadership scorecards, recruitment policies, and promotion targets ensure ongoing accountability, while family-friendly initiatives—including flexible work, parental leave, and on-site childcare—foster an inclusive environment.
Beyond gender, MAS Holdings has expanded its focus to encompass multiple dimensions of inclusion, including support for employees with disabilities, diverse sexual orientations, and gender identities. Programs like Eco Go Beyond further integrate inclusion and sustainability into local communities, nurturing environmental stewardship, youth leadership, and social responsibility. The company emphasizes that true inclusion requires cultural transformation, operational shifts, and measurable results, integrating both quantitative indicators and qualitative feedback from surveys and organizational health assessments.
MAS Holdings’ influence extends across industries through partnerships, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy. Collaboration with the International Trade Centre’s GTEX Program and alignment with the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles illustrate its commitment to supporting SMEs, building inclusive capacity, and promoting equitable practices in Sri Lanka’s private sector. The company’s engagement with Network Sri Lanka has enhanced accountability, enabled benchmarking against global standards, and facilitated initiatives like male allyship and gender pay gap analysis.
Looking forward, MAS Holdings continues to advance its inclusion agenda through strategic programs under its Fair-care Responsibility Lighthouse Project, leadership development, and ongoing community outreach. The company maintains that equitable workplaces are essential for economic growth, emphasizing that neglecting inclusion leads to unrealized potential and systemic inefficiencies. By embedding diversity into every aspect of its business, MAS Holdings demonstrates that inclusion is both an ethical imperative and a strategic advantage.
Through its leadership, mentorship, and industry partnerships, MAS Holdings diversity and inclusion efforts continue to shape Sri Lanka’s private sector, fostering a culture where equitable opportunity, representation, and empowerment are integral to long-term business success and social impact.