UAE employers start adopting preventive measures based on WHO norms
WHO CALLS ON EMPLOYERS TO BE PROACTIVE EVEN IF VIRUS HASN’T HIT THEM
UAE employers have welcomed new guidelines by the World Health Organisation that call upon organisations everywhere to be proactive and start adopting preventive measures to check the spread of novel Coronavirus, even if it has not arrived in the communities where they operate.
In a statement issued on Thursday, WHO said, “All sections of our society — including businesses and employers — must play a role if we are to stop the spread of this disease.”
It urged employers across the world to adopt “low-cost measures” to help prevent the spread of infections, such as colds, flu and stomach bugs, and protect customers, contractors and employees at the workplace.
“Employers should start doing these things now, even if Covid-19 has not arrived in the communities where they operate. They can already reduce working days lost due to illness and stop or slow the spread of Covid-19 if it arrives at one of your workplaces,” it said.
What UAE employers say
UAE employers have welcomed the guidelines.
Surinder Singh Khandari, chairman of the UAE-based Al Dobowi Group, which employs over 2,000 people, said, “As a group with an office in China as well, we have been taking necessary precautions from a long time. Our 17 Indian employees in Qingdao have been moved to India and the 20-plus local Chinese staff have been working from home. As for our employees here in the UAE, we have stopped all travel to the Far East and are closely monitoring travel advisories for any further updates.”
‘Getting calls’
Sean Baker, Country Manager of Rentokil Middle East, said, “We have put a policy in place in keeping with international and local guidelines. The management has called upon employees to maintain standard protocols pertaining to hygiene and not to panic. They have been advised to listen to what the local government says. We have also been getting calls from residents asking us if there are any pest control measures to keep viruses at bay.”