1. Purpose
To foster a workplace where diversity is celebrated, all individuals are treated equitably, and everyone feels a strong sense of belonging.
This policy supports our mission to promote sustainable, ethical, and socially responsible practices across our operations.
2. Scope
Applies to all employees, contractors, suppliers, and partners across all locations, including processing facilities in Mahiyanganaya and Naula,
the administrative office in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, and external representation.
3. Core Principles
- Diversity: Embrace differences in ethnicity, gender, age, nationality, religion, ability, socioeconomic background, education, and thought.
- Equity: Ensure fair access to opportunities, resources, and decision-making, countering systemic inequality.
- Inclusion: Cultivate an atmosphere where every team member feels respected, valued, and empowered to contribute.
4. Commitment to Non-Discrimination
Ceylon Eco Spices strictly prohibits discrimination, harassment, or victimisation based on any protected or non-protected characteristic.
This includes recruitment, compensation, training, promotion, and termination.
5. Responsible Hiring & Supplier Diversity
- Utilise inclusive recruitment practices and diverse sourcing to enhance ethnic and gender representation.
- Work with suppliers and farmers from various backgrounds, offering fair wages and respect regardless of identity.
6. Training & Awareness
- Provide regular training on anti-bias, cultural competence, and inclusive leadership for management, staff, and local farmer partners.
- Include DEI principles in farmer training programmes and community endeavours.
7. Inclusive Workplace Practices
- Build inclusive decision-making processes that consider diverse perspectives at every level.
- Promote flexible work arrangements where feasible, accommodating cultural, religious, or personal needs.
8. Accessibility & Support
- Ensure physical accessibility at facilities.
- Create safe channels for reporting concerns with strict confidentiality, no retaliation, and prompt resolution.
9. Leadership Accountability
Senior leadership and managers are accountable for:
- Integrating DEI into daily operations
- Setting DEI-related objectives
- Tracking progress via metrics (e.g. diversity mix, training completion, incident rates)
10. Monitoring & Reporting
- Conduct annual diversity and equity assessments across teams, farms, and partner communities.
- Publish progress reviews to employees and stakeholders.
11. Continuous Improvement
Actively seek employee and farmer feedback, benchmarking against global DEI standards and enhancing policies regularly.
12. Communication
- Include the DEI policy within the Employee Handbook and Supplier Code of Conduct.
- Feature this policy on the corporate website to communicate commitment and transparency.
Alignment with Brand Values
This policy complements Ceylon Eco Spices’ values—Integrity, Unity, Innovation, Reliability, and Commitment—while deepening its social sustainability efforts alongside standards like Rainforest Alliance, USDA & EU Organic, ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP and BRCGS.
