Introduction By The Managing Member - Puma

52 Years of Combined Service
Fatima (top) and Marlene are excellent examples of how mutual respect can translate into a lifetime of shared experiences.
Both ladies joined Vimal when the company was merely a fledgling start-up, back in 1981, and both are still
providing leadership within our production team. Although both ladies suffered from injuries and illnesses that kept
them away from work for a good portion of this past year, both are committed to returning to full active duty within the
early days of 2008.
When asked why they have chosen to continue working at Vimal, their answers were unwavering in their support of
Vimal as a company, and Kali as an manager to work for.
F: In 26 years, I can’t recall a period when we were ever short-shifted (i.e., not given 40
hours of work in a week). In fact we are most often given opportunities to work overtime.
F: We’ve never been robbed of wages (never underpaid) and have always been paid on
time.
F: Other companies have problems paying the full amount of their wages, but Vimal has
always paid us what we were owed, plus bonuses.
F: Bonuses are paid twice: one before Christmas and the other in the New Year, 1 week
before we return to work. Rather than one bonus, the money is split into two portions
so that we won’t spend it all before we get back to work.
F: These are the most important things for those of us in production because we need the
money.
F: I never worked before coming to Vimal, but a lot of my friends who work in other clothing
factories tell me that I am lucky to be here.
F: We worked as a family, and Kali always treated us as part of his family.
M: We learned a lot from Kali. We knew nothing when we came here and he taught us
everything.
M: In 26 years, we never had any major arguments. We always worked as a team, with
unity.
M: Under the union, we always receive NBC rates whereas other companies don’t employ
union members and don’t pay NBC rates. They also sometimes only let the people
work 2 or 3 days per week. We always got a full week’s work.
M: The whole factory gets time off for celebrations such as Diwali, regardless of whether
you are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, or not religious.
M: We receive attendance bonuses and long-service awards. No other companies give
long-service awards like in Vimal.
M: The school fees for the last 2 of my 5 children were paid by Vimal. This is a new benefit
that was started about 5 years ago, and this is something that no other boss will do.
M: We are very happy working here because we grew up working with Kali, and he always
treated us like part of his family.
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Fatima
Marlene