Continental Introduces Various Employee Support and Care Programs to Fight COVID-19

Continental India has rolled out various schemes to counter COVID-19, for employee welfare and as caring aid for the community. This covers employees in its 15 locations and plants in India.

The rise in infections in the second wave of the pandemic left the healthcare sector strained, and as an emergency measure for supporting affected employees, the company established quarantine facilities for its employees in Manesar, Gurugram, Modipuram, Faridabad, Sonepat, Kalyani, and its three centers in Bengaluru. These facilities, equipped with all necessary amenities, oxygen concentrators, first aid, virtual doctor consultation have been open for employees who tested positive but do not require advanced/intensive medical care. For employees who require hospitalization and dedicated medical care, the company has partnered with leading hospitals across different locations. Additional medical assistance covers ambulance service with advanced life support in all cities of operation, doctor consultation, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental wellbeing. A dedicated COVID-19 task force in each location has been working on a 24X7 mode for employee support.

“Continental is taking all the necessary care and extending support to employees amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Our top priority at this point is the health and wellbeing of our employees. The initiatives rolled out for the benefit of the employees are thoughtfully put together considering various vital factors based on health and necessity. With these initiatives, we hope our employees benefit and overcome any possible challenges caused by COVID-19,” said Ajay Kumar, Head of Human Relations, Continental India.

Medical expenses relating to COVID-19 treatment are covered under the group insurance policy. A special provision for a loan in the form of salary advances is offered to employees, to be availed during an emergency. Paid leaves for COVID-19 recovery and vaccination leaves have also been added for welfare. Additionally, the company has rolled out company-sponsored vaccination drives for employees and primary dependents, with dedicated camps onsite at its facilities and factories. Continental targets to complete vaccination for all employees by June 2021. The company has also rolled out special benefits for deceased employees’ families as a special compassionate benevolence scheme specific to the pandemic.

Other COVID-19 Relief Initiatives

As a part of its Social Responsibility programs, Continental has also been providing support and relief measures to the community, to support the government and its healthcare system, in their ongoing efforts against COVID-19. The company is setting up two oxygen generation plants of one tonne capacity at government hospitals in Gurgaon and Bengaluru. Through 2020 and early 2021, Continental India continued its donations, which included an RT– PCR machine for COVID-19 testing to Gurugram DC, PPE kits to Community Health Centers, and schools in and around its various plants. A host of other measures, including the civil up-gradation of Community Health Centers (CHCs) are in progress. The company has also donated ration kits to migrant labor and front-line workers amid the lockdown period in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai in 2020 and 2021.