Toy Manufacturer - There are Always More Solutions than Difficulties
Background
Golden Cup is a printing factory located in China’s manufacturing heartland Dongguan, Guangdong Province. Since 2017, the factory has been running a Family Friendly Space to accommodate the children of workers during the summer holidays – an initiative the factory embraced after realizing that a significant number of their workers were migrant parents in need of a childcare service during the summer months.
In the first year of the program, since Golden Cup is a member of the IETP program, it received support and training from IETP and its implementation partner CCRCSR to open and operate the space. As the factory had gained the expertise to run the space, in their second year, IETP provided gift sponsorship for the children and any necessary help to support Golden Cup if needed.
Even during the tumultuous year of COVID-19, Golden Cup continued to run the center, providing relief to parents while giving children the chance to spend more time with their parents in a fun environment. We were curious to find out their motivations for investing in the space and running it long-term, and what impacts it has had on their business.
In this interview, we talk to Daisy Dai, program supervisor at Golden Cup
Please click "+" next to the question to view the answer, or download the pdf here.
What prompted you to take part in the FFS program in the first place?
In the beginning, it was Ms. Yeung’s idea. Ms. Yeung is the mother of two children and knows the importance of parents being by their children’s side as they grow up all too well. At the very beginning, we started by organizing a one-day family day, then in 2016, we hosted a 3-day “Little Bird” event for parents and children, in 2017 we joined the IETP Family-Friendly Spaces Program (also known as FFS) with 63 children taking part. In 2018, there were 85 children, in 2019 95 children, and in 2020 we hosted 50 children.
Can you briefly describe how the FFS works at your factory?
The FFS opens for one month during each summer holiday. When FFS ends, the large classroom gets used for homework tutoring from 16:30. The small classroom is used as a dancing room for factory employees to practice dancing, yoga and other activities.
Why did you decide to keep running the program after the first year?
Because we don’t want to disappoint children’s wish to come here for the summer holiday. The company can take on the cost of its operation and we’re looking forward to innovating our courses.
Why are you running the FFS this year despite the uncertainty of COVID-19?
The COVID-19 situation has been brought under control in China, and our company has been strictly implementing COVID-19 prevention measures throughout. The pandemic can’t get in the way of our love for the children.
Can you tell us a bit more about the special health & safety measures have you put in place this year in response to COVID-19?
COVID-19 tests are given to those from high-risk areas and everyone has the health cards. We also check everyone’s temperature, disinfect thoroughly, number cups, and we gave out free masks to children on the first day.
What positive changes have the FFS brought to your factory?
Workers are very happy at work and feel full of energy. They have a high enthusiasm for work and increased trust in the company. Our retention rate has also increased (the turnover rate of parents who participated in the summer FFS was 4%, and last year’s company overall turnover rate was 6.8%).
What impressed you the most about the FFS program?
The change in the children: their change from being initially reserved to becoming more lively, open and cheerful. They learned a lot of things and made this their home away from home. When they returned to their hometowns, they’d sometimes miss the FFS.
After spending a summer together, parents and children were naturally reluctant to part ways again. Eight children who attended FFS this summer decided to stay on permanently, and so went from being “left-behind children” to “migrant children”.
What kind of resources do you have to put into the FFS each year to operate it? Does the investment pay off? If yes, how?
Our company invests money, a classroom, teachers, an admin manager and a cleaner. It has contributed to social responsibility and brings people closer together so that parents who miss their children but can’t take any actions have a worry-free platform. They can take their children to Guangdong to be with them and at their place of work and at the same time cultivate children’s cheerful, confident character. And that’s a good start.
What advice or message would you give to other factories who have not yet set up a FFS but may consider doing so?
There are always more solutions than difficulties. Seeing the changes in the children makes all the efforts worthwhile. Except for some expenses for purchasing items in the first year, all items in the classroom at Golden Cup are reused. In the last few years, except for teachers, afternoon tea, and insurance, there were basically no other expenses.
How can you support the program?
Contact us via join@ethicaltoyprogram.org if you want to learn how the program works, the benefits it delivers, how can it incorporate into your CSR strategy, etc.
To learn more about Golden Cup please visit: www.goldencup.com.hk