The opening ceremony for the park and daycare center (Image courtesy of ShinTS)
SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – A leading South Korean garment manufacturer, ShinTS, has inaugurated a large-scale recreational park for its workers at its Ethiopian manufacturing facility, marking a significant expansion of its employee welfare initiatives in Africa.
The opening ceremony for the park and daycare center, held on November 22 at the company’s facility in the Bole Lemi Industrial Park in Addis Ababa, was attended by ShinTS Chairman Cha Min-ho and South Korean Ambassador to Ethiopia Jung Kang.
Several Ethiopian officials, including representatives from the Industrial Parks Development Corporation, Investment Commission, and Textile Industry Association, were also present at the event.
During the ceremony, Cha outlined the company’s ambitious vision for growth in Ethiopia. “Our initial goal is to operate a garment factory employing 30,000 workers, with plans to eventually expand to 100,000 employees, positioning us to become Africa’s largest garment manufacturer,” he said.
Ambassador Jung praised the company’s commitment to worker welfare, noting, “ShinTS’ dedication to employee well-being is truly impressive. The investment in the daycare facility, in particular, goes beyond mere worker benefits – it demonstrates genuine respect for Ethiopia and its people.”
The newly completed park, which took two years to construct, spans approximately 20,000 square meters. The facility features two mini soccer fields, a basketball court, and a tennis court, along with various rest areas equipped with benches.
The company has also significantly expanded its childcare facilities. The new daycare center can accommodate more than 300 children of employees, a substantial increase from the previous facility that served about 80 children.
ShinTS initiated these projects to enhance the quality of life for its Ethiopian workforce by providing better recreational and childcare options.
The factory, which currently employs about 6,000 workers – the largest workforce among South Korean companies in Ethiopia – also provides free dormitory accommodation to approximately 4,000 of its employees. The company is constructing additional dormitory facilities, including specialized housing for single mothers.
Operating as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), ShinTS is a medium-sized enterprise that established its Ethiopian operations in 2014, following its successful venture in Vietnam.
The factory produces motorcycle apparel, high-performance outdoor wear, and ski clothing for export to various markets, including Germany, other European countries, and South Korea.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
