DUBAI: While most companies have been terminating people because of the coronavirus pandemic, an Emirati businessman, who runs a general services company, of which over 620 are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), has chosen to keep his employees and has even regularly been providing food at the accommodation provided for them.
“Like other companies, we have also been seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. We are one of few companies in the UAE that up to now has not terminated employees because we believe in them and that we will pass through this challenging time,” said Maricel Violanda, human resource manager, speaking on behalf of the company’s CEO, Jassim Alnajjar.
Violanda, who is also an OFW, said weekly food provision started in April at the height of the quarantine. Personal hygiene care is also being given by the company to the employees every month.
“A monthly cash food allowance for workers living outside the company accommodation has been provided as well,” Violanda said.
She said the company’s total food spending has reached AED 200,000 which covered 6,000 bags of rice, 3,000kg of fish and 3,500kg of assorted meat and chicken among others.
“We have also scheduled regular visits at our staff accommodation to hold meetings, hear individual queries and provide counseling,” Violanda said.
The company has also taken temporary measures like salary reduction and no-work-no-pay arrangements until operations return to normal.
The company has total of 780 employees of which 80% percent of the workforce are Filipinos and the rest is a mix of other nationalities, according to Violanda.
Just recently, UAE Food Bank, a charitable organization, recognized the company as one of its recipient and held a food distribution drive at the staff accommodation in Al Nahda, north of Dubai.
The activity was also graced by Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes and spouse, Dr. Yasmin Balajadia-Cortes with participation by officers of Kalayaan 2020, which organized this year’s Philippine Independence Day celebrations.
“The Perfect Help” is the company’s name. It provides professional services such as cleaning, building maintenance, pest control, housekeeping as well as first aid training courses.
MAIN PHOTO CAPTION: “The Perfect Help” CEO, Mr. Jassim Alnajjar. (Photo courtesy of Maricel Violanda, company human resource manager)
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