Gildan Activewear Inc. will donate the totality of a grant to be received from the Government of Honduras in the amount of more than U.S. $3.5 million (more than 74 million lempiras). The entirety of the grant will be donated to special community projects selected by Gildan, as well as other projects designated in collaboration with FUNDEIH (Foundation for the integral development of Honduras) and the Office of the First Lady of Honduras.
Gildan selected four key projects aimed at improving education and health care services in the northern region of Honduras, where its operations are located, and to facilitate access to housing for its employees.
This unprecedented private initiative in Honduras is being financed through funds to be received by Gildan from the Government of Honduras in connection with its participation in an employment program named “Con Chamba Vivís Mejor” (We live better with jobs). “Gildan's positive impact on job creation in the country entitled us to receive a special grant as part of this governmental program, which we decided to redistribute entirely into educational, healthcare and housing projects, as we believe this will have a significant impact in the communities where our employees live,” explained Benito Masi, Executive Vice-President, Manufacturing at Gildan. “In 2014 alone, Gildan generated more than 7,000 new jobs in Honduras, making the Company the country's top recruiter within this program,” he added.
The majority of the funds will be invested in the following main projects:
- With the support of the First Lady, Ana Garcia de Hernandez, Gildan selected other projects that will receive the balance of the funds:
- The funds invested into these projects will be fully audited by a reputable international third party.
“We would like to encourage other key international players in the textile industry as well as in other industry segments to also reinvest the funds they will be receiving from the Government as part of the Con Chamba Vivís Mejor program in order to improve living conditions in Honduras,” Masi added.
With more than 27,000 employees in the country, Gildan is amongst the largest private employers in Honduras, where the majority of its manufacturing facilities are located. Throughout the years, Gildan has been a key contributor to local Honduran economic development through significant capital investments in state-of-the-art facilities employing leading working conditions, continuous job creation, and support to local businesses, in addition to ongoing investments in local community projects which have an impact on people's well-being and education.
Gildan is a leading supplier of branded basic family apparel, including T-shirts, fleece, sport shirts, underwear, socks, hosiery and shapewear. The company sells its products under a diversified portfolio of company-owned brands, including the Gildan and Gold Toe brands and brand extensions, as well as the Anvil, Comfort Colors, Secret, Silks and Therapy Plus brands. The Company also has the U.S. sock license for Under Armour, and licenses for Mossy Oak and New Balance brands. The Company also distributes its products in printwear markets.
