India: these French entrepreneurs who remain despite the health crisis
New Delhi, the Indian capital has been confined since April 19, 2021 (illustrative image).
AFP - SAJJAD HUSSAIN
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
The situation is deteriorating in India where Covid-19 has killed more than 200,000.
Faced with this situation, some large French companies such as Decathlon or Dassault have chosen to repatriate their employees.
But for smaller companies, expats choose to stay and put everything in place to continue their activity.
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India has become its second country.
For Kazem Samandari, French boss of a bakery-pastry group based in New Delhi, it is out of the question to return to France, despite the health situation.
“
We don't want to abandon the boat.
We have to stay here, we have to set an example for them.
We owe it to our staff to be with them,
”he says.
"
With them
", because the 150 members of its staff ensure production in the factories.
To avoid contamination, Kazem Samandari encourages them to be vaccinated.
"
It costs about 9
-
10 euros and we have assured staff that the company would cover the cost of vaccination and given the time it takes to get vaccinated.
"
►
To listen and read also: Chaos in India: the economic circles are worried
Encourage vaccination, or even teleworking.
Damien Berville manages an IT outsourcing company in Pondicherry.
Considering the situation, there was no question of going back to the office.
“
For those who needed it, we put internet connections that are paid for by the company.
We gave laptops, or even they were allowed to take their computers from the office,
”he explains.
For the moment this boss does not intend to leave the country.
Unless flights between India and France are suspended.
Confederation of Indian Industry calls for emergency measures
Faced with this critical situation, the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), based in New Delhi, called for strong measures to break the chain of contamination and save lives.
Uday Kotak called on the government to rely on international aid.
Caregivers and frontline workers are doing their utmost to cope with the influx of patients, says Uday Kotak, but their efforts may not be enough.
India needs experts.
The Confederation of Indian Industry urges the government to call on the military to deploy its infrastructure and personnel.
Public places, such as schools, colleges, parks, must be made available to accommodate temporary hospitals.
Army planes and trucks must be mobilized to deliver vaccines and medical supplies.
As for vaccination, aid should go to the States of the Union which need it most and which have the most vulnerable population.
► See also: Covid-19: India receives 28 tonnes of French medical aid
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