As a part of its strategy to ensure smooth business operations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian consumer goods major, Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL), has decided to extend medical insurance cover to all workers who are part of its supply and distribution chain in the country. The facility is provided by Go Digit General Insurance.
The insurance cover has been offered to over 4000 workers who are employed by its partners in the supply and distribution chain or contracted by them. Each employee covered by the insurance is entitled to cashless treatment or reimbursement of expenses for treatment of COVID-19, up to Rs 50,000. This move will provide relief and motivation to the thousands of employees who are facilitating operations during the current crisis.
On April 15, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) included medical insurance for employees as a mandatory part of its relaxation to industrial and commercial establishments, to resume production in the non-containment zones.
The number of personnel being covered under the medical insurance is significantly large, in addition to the Company’s 2,675-strong permanent workforce already enjoying medical benefits.
The extended workforce being provided insurance benefit include contract labourers, delivery teams, carrying and forwarding agents, loaders and unloaders and logistical teams, including drivers.
Sunil Kataria, CEO, India & SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products assures GCPL’s commitment towards all workers including the extended workforce across the country. “Be it permanent, contracted or third-party, GCPL has commitment towards its entire extended workforce. We value their efforts, and their safety is of prime importance to us. Therefore, we have undertaken this initiative to insure the workforce of over 4000 personnel, who are the backbone of our supply and distribution chain. We have established a comprehensive health and safety monitoring system in all our operating locations. Through a culture of proactive and preventive behaviour, we will continuously review our policy to keep them in line with current requirements and needs of our workforce”, says Kataria.
For its workers in the plants as well, GCPL has ensured hygiene and social distancing practices, including providing workers with face masks, sanitisers and thermal screening. In addition, as a part of its daily efforts to take care of its employees, the Company has set up a daily COVID allowance and has provided them with a one-month food package including all essential rations, such as rice, flour, oil, salt and pulses among others.
Moreover, GCPL has assured zero deduction of employee wages and is working closely with contractors to ensure the policy is implemented.
