From the beginning of the establishment of her company named the Spa Factory Bali, Maria Satya Putri has seriously paid attention to the well-being of her employees. Starting in 2002 with one employee to currently with more than 50 employees, Maria has exercised non-discriminatory practices and regulations.

Spa Factory Bali is a local medium-sized enterprise developing and producing spa products for local and international hotels and resorts. Spa Factory is also the participating company of the ILO’s Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprise (SCORE) programme since 2015.

The company provides a day care facility for the workers, allowing them to bring their children to work. This facility provides a sense of comfort and security for the workers as they know their children are being well-looked after when they are at work.

“I am a mother of two, so I appreciate the security of knowing that I am able to work while my children are look after,” she said, considering the facility as an investment for the company.

Realizing the importance of balancing work and family responsibility, she also provides family emergency leave for the workers. The workers could take one day leave within a month to take care of their sick children or other family members. The length of the leave could be expanded to three to four days for more serious emergency like hospitalization.

“Although my company is still considered SMEs, but I do understand the needs of young mothers who work for me. They need the sense of reassurance that they do not have to choose between work and family, particularly during the emergency time,” Maria continued.


In addition, options are given to breastfeeding women workers. They could use a lactation room where a freezer is available to store the breast milk or they can take half an hour break to breastfeed their babies at home. The second option mostly applies for women workers live in the surrounding areas of the company.

These gender sensitive policies, Maria stated, have increased her workers’ working motivation, performance and efficiency. She also witnesses a stronger of sense of belonging and loyalty for the workers.

Positive responses do not only come from the workers, but also the investors and buyers. “Buyers are impressed with this and as a result our revenues have increased to 30 percent,” she added, proudly.

“By understanding workers’ needs and giving them what matters to them is an investment as the benefit, motivation, productivity and loyalty that it creates comes to back to the company,” said Januar Rustandie, Manager of the ILO’s SCORE programme, commenting on gender equality practices at the Spa Factory.

Spa Factory continues to create a secure environment for both women and men workers. The company has now insured its workers and their families under the Indonesian Health Insurance System (BPJS Kesehatan) and has conducted an annual reproductive health check for women workers.