ofi Vietnam's commitment earns recognition at WEPs Awards

Source: Vietnam Investment Review

Olam Vietnam Limited (ofi Vietnam) was honoured at 2024 the UN Women WEPs Awards on March 6 for its outstanding contributions to workplace equity and gender equality in community engagement and partnership.

Simultaneously, the company bagged a spot in Anphabe’s Top 100 Best Places to Work in Vietnam, reflecting its dedication to fostering an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace.

With over 27 years of operation in Vietnam, ofi continues to grow its portfolio as one of the country’s leading producers, processors and exporters of nuts, spices and coffee ingredients.

With over 4,500 employees ofi Vietnam continues to invest in its people to drive performance and productivity, through a three-pronged approach: Employee engagements, a diverse and inclusive culture, and talent development initiatives.

A radiant smile from a female farmer in the Cashew Seedling Support Programme. Photo: ofi

Some of these initiatives include building an inspiring and equitable working environment for female employees through personal development initiatives aimed at uplifting and strengthening women's leadership.

Sustainable development has been a core focus for the company over the years, benefiting female employees by providing support that helps them maintain job stability and productivity.

Through the ofi Care scheme, in collaboration with Alive & Thrive, female employees receive essential health and nutrition support, helping them balance professional and personal responsibilities.

The ofi YES! scholarship programme further extends this commitment by offering financial aid and educational resources to children of female employees, ensuring long-term wellbeing for their families.

Beyond workforce policies and programmes, ofi’s Vietnam team also engages actively with the community and partner farmers, especially female farmers.

In 2023, the company worked with over 600 registered female coffee farmers, more than 190 female pepper and cassia growers, and over 3,000 cashew female farming partners to expand their sustainable production capacity and encourage data-driven and regenerative agriculture practices.

Improved crop compliance with market social and environmental certifications has also contributed to enhanced access to the market and higher premiums from coffee, cashew and spice ingredients supplied to its customers.

Looking ahead, ofi Vietnam remains committed to driving long-term impact through its global sustainability strategies.

Revealed in 2024, ofi’s ‘Choices for Change’ strategy provides global food brands, retailers and their consumers with specific choices to deliver long-term impact across four critical pillars: Prosperous farmers, Thriving communities, Climate action, and Regenerating the living world.

For these concerted efforts, ofi Vietnam has been recognised by the UN Women WEP and Anphabe Top 100 Best Places to Work in Vietnam 2024 Awards.

The Gender Equality in Community Engagement and Partnership category honours companies operating in the Asia-Pacific region that integrate gender equality into their sustainability strategies or social responsibility initiatives.

Beyond comprehensive workplace benefits, team-building activities remain an essential part of the company culture. Photo: ofi

Anphabe Vietnam’s 2024 Top 100 Best Places to Work recognition reinforces ofi’s commitment to growing an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace

ofi Vietnam is also proud to rank among the Top 50 in the Medium Enterprises category for Anphabe’s Top 100 Best Places to Work in Vietnam 2024, validating its ongoing efforts to continually improve people-first policies and employee advocacy practices that drive success and performance.

Amith Verma, regional head, ASEAN, China, and Oceania region, at ofi said, “These important award recognitions are a testament to our strategic commitment towards building an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace - empowering our employees to develop professionally and personally."

“We must continue to prioritise initiatives that impact female employees and our farmer partners within our communities. With a shared purpose at the core of our belief system, anchored by our global sustainability strategy, Choices for Change, our people across the business can drive positive change.”

By Huyen Thuy