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International SOS Launches India's First Ever Legal Framework on Duty of Care

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

International SOS, the world's leading medical and security services provider today launched a paper on Duty of Care*, to help Indian companies ensure the safety and security of employees while at work locally and abroad.

In partnership with Nishith Desai Associates, a research-based Indian law firm, the paper provides a guideline for Indian companies on protecting their workforce travelling within and outside India, by mitigating health and travel-related risks.

The paper covers a broader concept of the workplace - which according to Indian law is considered to be out of the conventional premises of the company – and includes deputations abroad.

Endorsed by the Employers Federation of India, the paper:

  • •    Compiles the main national regulations related to the management of work health and safety responsibilities of employers when deputing employees abroad
  • •    Highlights implications employers face when duty of care is breached. These include direct costs (such as evacuation, repatriation and post incident medical costs) and indirect costs (such as litigation costs, salary costs, administrative costs, productivity losses and damage to company reputation)
  • •    Provides business travel and security advice and recommends risk mitigation programmes, such as pandemic preparedness plans as well as emergency and crisis response plans
     

Nicolas Bertsche, General Manager, International SOS India said, ‘’The recommendations in this paper help Indian companies achieve a return on prevention, through the compliance of applicable regulations and best practices with respect to employee health and safety.

Ultimately, this influences a company’s corporate social responsibility, sustainability, competitiveness and reputation.

International SOS has been in India since 1998, helping clients meet the medical and travel security needs of their employees.  We are delighted to be able to present this paper today, and are confident it will deepen our relationship with our existing clients, and help Indian companies carry out their Duty of Care obligations in a structured approach.’’

For a copy of the white paper, please visit http://www.internationalsosfoundation.org/resources/browse-by-country/india/

*Duty of Care refers to the moral and legal obligations of employers to their employees, contractors, volunteers and others such as family members, when working, posted on international assignments or working in remote areas of their home country.

About International SOS

International SOS (internationalsos.com) is the world’s leading medical and travel security risk services company. We care for clients across the globe, from more than 850 locations in 92 countries.

Our expertise is unique: More than 11,000 employees are led by 1,400 doctors and 200 security specialists. Teams work night and day to protect our members.

We pioneer a range of preventive programmes strengthened by our in-country expertise. We deliver unrivalled emergency assistance during critical illness, accident or civil unrest.

We are passionate about helping clients put ‘Duty of Care’ into practice. With us, multinational corporate clients, governments and NGOs can mitigate risks for their people working remotely or overseas.

Note to editors:

International SOS Foundation has the goal of improving the safety, security, health and welfare of people working abroad or on remote assignments through the study, understanding and mitigation of potential risks. For more information on Duty of Care and the International SOS Foundation, please visit http://www.internationalsosfoundation.org/