One of our goals at DESTA is to be transparent and to always motivate our employees to be best they can be. We recently sat down with Zebiba, a line supervisor at our factory in Butajira. Zebiba started out as a line operator when our Butajira Expansion Project started production two years ago, and has worked her way to a 2nd level supervisory position. We believe that Zebiba, offers some great insight into what it’s like to work at DESTA, Butajira factory.

Desta: First I would like to say thank you for giving this interview!

Zebiba: No problem, It is my pleasure!

Desta: When did you start working for Desta?

Zebiba: It has been three years since I started working for Desta.

Desta: How did you hear about Desta?

Zebiba: When Desta PLC opend in Butajira city, I was a grament student in Butajira Polytechnic and Vocational School. For this reason, as soon as I finished school, I was able to get a direct job. This is a great opportunity for me.

Desta: What is your position title at Desta and what are your responsibilities?

Zebiba: I’m a level two supervisor. There are forty workers on the sewing line that I am assigned to. So my responsibility is to supervise them. But not only this, I have to oversee the quality of work and the target.

Desta: What are the prospects of promotion in Desta?

Zebiba: As I have personally seen, in Desta promotion is based on your attitude towards work. I do my job with great diligence and love. When I started working, the factory was not yet finished. Anyone who has seen the state of the factory can never believe that. The factory has changed a lot now. I was part of that change too. So you can say, I grew up with the factory.

Desta: Did working for Desta bring any changes in your personal life?

Zebiba: This work has given me a lot of training. Mr. Shemshad gives us frequent training on how to handle factory workers. Outside of the organization, Better Work provided us with supervisor skills training. Taking these training helped me to develop good leadership skills. Outside of supervisor skills training, I have taken other trainings by Better Work Ethiopia such as Occupational Safety, Compliance department First aid, and other occupational safety trainings. I was able to get these trainings because I worked here. I am very happy to be working in Desta plc. In addition to the many trainings I mentioned, I have learned many other life lessons, like how to use my time wisely. Because of this, I work during the day and attend  evening classes. Last year I already got my diploma in accounting and now I am working on my degree.

To be frank, I would not be able to do this if I were somewhere else.

Desta: What is Desta’s contribution to the local community?

Zebiba: The opening of the factory has been a great benefit to the local community. I know this area was empty. But even now, it is having a good profound effect on the people and the city. It makes a beautiful impression on the city of Butajira.

Desta: Do you have any plans for the future?

Zebiba: I do not want to leave Butajira. I want to use my profession, finance to work in this company.

Desta: We wish you all the best!

Zebiba: Thank you!

Desta PLC is an independent, family-run and family-owned ethical manufacturer based in Ethiopia. We provide a full range of knitting, cutting, sewing and finishing services, including accessories and embroidery. We specialize in t-shirts, uniforms and fashion items. Please contact us at info@desta-garment.com to discuss our services!