KARACHI: With the Covid-19 pandemic far from over, UK businesses GSK and Unilever spoke about what they are doing to keep their employees safe and their businesses open here in Pakistan.

A webinar, hosted by British Deputy High Commissioner Karachi and Director for Trade in Pakistan, Mike Nithavrianakis, was held to share lessons learnt by GSK and Unilever on how to adapt to the changing environment and focus on sustaining operations.

He said "We have seen what an enormous impact coronavirus has had on all our lives. Nevertheless, we need to work together in partnership to share best practice and help to protect both lives and livelihoods. I am delighted that UK businesses in Pakistan are following the guidelines and strict protocols to mitigate the spread of disease while continuing to operate in challenging circumstances."

GlaxoSmithKline Pakistan Limited CEO Erum Shakir Rahim was a panellist at the session. She said that: "At GSK we have three priorities in the current outbreak. First is safeguarding our employees' health and wellbeing, including playing our role in limiting the spread of virus..."

Chairman and CEO of Unilever Pakistan Limited Amir Paracha was a panellist at the session. He said: "The safety of our people remains our highest priority as we deal with the threat of Covid-19 to business continuity. As the economy returns to a sense of normalcy, the goal must be to build safe workplaces..."

Shell Pakistan CEO Haroon Rashid and Reckitt Benckiser CEO Kashan Hasan also participated in the webinar and spoke about the measures their respective companies have taken to protect staff. The panellists emphasised that businesses should be agile according to the changing situation on the ground, and be flexible in terms of when they asked people to come back to office.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020