Randstad, Adecco Group, ManpowerGroup, Gi Group join forces to help India get back to work safely

The Indian operations of four leading global HR services companies - Randstad, The Adecco Group, ManpowerGroup and Gi Group - have formed an alliance to jointly tackle the key challenges facing the labour market following the COVID-19 pandemic. The alliance's actions will be focused on sharing best practices on health and safety protocols, which can be used by organisations, to support a safe return to workplaces throughout India, a joint statement said on Wednesday.

"We are entering a new world of work and it is crucial to be well prepared for this new reality. The emphasis must be on creating a safe environment where employees can be productive and make an impact," said Paul Dupuis, MD and CEO, Randstad India. Initially, the alliance will focus on companies in seven key sectors in India - IT/ITeS, manufacturing, infrastructure, pharma, healthcare, life sciences (PHL), consulting and business services, retail and e-commerce. It will consult with various stakeholders in the country in the coming weeks.

The best practice protocols collated from companies in these seven sectors will be used to create a comprehensive compilation of instructions and concrete measures – a country-specific COVID-19: "Help India Get Back to Work Safely" guide with practical advice and health and safety protocols. "COVID-19 has created a great disruption in the labour market and to entire communities and thus, it is imperative to return to work with the necessary precautions," said Marco Valsecchi, Country Manager & MD, Adecco Group, India. The alliance with Randstad, ManpowerGroup and Gi Group is an effort to prepare and contribute to a new normal and to expedite a safe and responsible reopening of economies and workplaces, Valsecchi added.

Through this alliance, the human resources (HR) services industry is issuing a call to action to all relevant stakeholders to contribute and play their part. This includes employers, trade unions, industry associations, regulatory bodies and non-government organisations. "This is our opportunity to restart the economy to create a future of work that works for everyone, one we know people have been seeking for some time. More digital, more virtual, more connected and more wellbeing-orientated than we could ever have imagined," said Sandeep Gulati, MD, ManpowerGroup India.

The alliance is also reaching out to governments to support, stimulate and endorse these efforts to help India get back to work safely. Companies and in particular HR service organisations like the ones in this initiative should play an active role to ensure India is getting back to work safely, Marcos Segador Arrebola, Country Manager, Gi Group India said. "We should treat this COVID-19 crisis as a defining moment for ourselves, our organisations and our country," Arrebola added.

The HR services industry is uniquely positioned to contribute to these efforts by applying its in-depth knowledge of labour market processes through various sectors and companies, the statement said..

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)