"Asian businesses behind rest of world in protecting the health and safety of employees: Results of Asia-wide Benchmarking Study"

03.07.2012
Source: International SOS

• Singapore leads Asia in terms of overall Duty of Care score for travel risk management
• India, China and Indonesia perceived as highest risk countries for respondents in Asia
• Asia respondents perceive illness,  infectious disease and political unrest as lower risk compared to respondents in Europe, North America and Africa

 

International SOS, the leading global medical and security services company, today announces the results of its Asia based benchmarking study into the level of care organisations provide  employees, and the level of awareness and moral obligation of the Duty of Care concept amongst employers.

 

An employer’s ‘Duty of Care’ refers to the obligation of an organisation to assume responsibility for protecting its employees from risks and threats when working around the world. More than 600 global companies, 15 per cent of which are headquartered in Asian countries, were included in the research (1). The survey found Asia ranks behind all other regions in most Duty of Care benchmarking scores, excluding the Middle East and North Africa region.

 

Singapore scored significantly higher than all other Asian countries surveyed around Duty of Care, and above the worldwide baseline. Jukka Takala, Executive Director of the Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Institute, comments, “There is no greater cause than human health and wellbeing - at work and when travelling. The results of International SOS’s Asia benchmarking survey highlight our inter-regional health and safety differences and the need for education and reform across the continent. I’m pleased that Singapore scored highly within the survey, and is able to pave the way for Asia to follow. That is why I am happy to join forces to make Singapore a role model in Health and Safety at Work by 2018.”

 

Overall, Asia achieved 60 percent in the Duty of Care risk management model, compared with the worldwide average of 63 percent. India, China and Indonesia were ranked the top three high risk countries. Pandemics and flooding were perceived as higher risks compared to illness or political unrest. Asia respondents perceive Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Sri Lanka among the top 20 high risk countries, yet these countries do not make the worldwide list.

 

Dr. Philippe Guibert, Regional Medical Director for Consulting Services of South and South East Asia, International SOS explains “Organisations are increasingly expanding operations and staff numbers in Asia and companies can no longer afford to run the moral and financial risks of neglecting Duty of Care obligations.  Establishing a strong Duty of Care program is not just ‘the right thing to do,’  health and wellness programs in the workplace increase a firm’s ability to attract and retain employees, resulting in lower headcount turnover and improved productivity, all of which add to healthier business performance.

 

 

1. The International SOS Duty of Care and Travel Risk Management Global Benchmarking Study surveyed 718 respondents from 628 global organizations on international travel issues and challenges faced by business travellers, international assignees and their families. The Asian report compares responses from 168 employees who work in Asia against the remaining responses from the Global Benchmarking Study. Both reports considered perceived high-risk locations, risks and threats faced by employees, awareness by company and industry stakeholders and departments, decision-making processes within companies, and legal and moral obligations.

 

 

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