Keeping our people safe: supporting the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine
There is now irreputable evidence that the various vaccines that are being rolled out around the world reduce the number of people who get seriously ill from COVID-19. With this evidence in mind P&O Maritime Logistics strongly believe that to combat the pandemic, everybody has a role to play, including receiving a vaccination where they’re able. We strongly believe in the importance of vaccinated personnel and we are actively supporting our employees to get their jab not only as part of our own internal health and safety, but that of our families and the communities in which we live and operate.
Now, over 32% of our global workforce are vaccinated, and in several countries, the employee vaccination uptake rate has been higher than the respective country vaccination rate.
In Mozambique, for example, all employees have received their first dose, with P&O Maritime Logistics taking part in a port-wide initiative to inoculate all employees and families. As a way for us to make a wider contribution, an additional 10% of the total number of doses required to inoculate our employees were donated to the wider community in Maputo.
And in Paraguay, 97% of employees are now vaccinated. The P&O Maritime Logistics HR team worked with local authorities in the country to ensure that crews were on the critical employees list, before arranging for medical staff to go onboard and vaccinate our crews.
With the support of parent company DP World, the UAE Corporate Office and Jebel Ali Base in Dubai is also at a 97% vaccination rate.
Finally, with one of our clients’ help, over 50% of the crew in Saudi Arabia have been vaccinated. When our vessels were in the ports of Tanjib and Jizan medical teams were invited onboard and dedicated vaccinations areas were established in order that vaccines could be administered to our crew.
Our Head of HSSEQ Benjamin Neal said: “We are proud of the efforts and progress we have made so far so that we can ensure our people are safe. With 31% of our global workforce vaccinated, we’re encouraged by the progress but know that there’s much more to be done. P&O Maritime Logistics seeks to ensure that its clients and people are kept safe and are actively encouraging everyone that can to get their vaccine.”
As we continue our global vaccine drive, we encourage all employees to get their vaccination. Getting vaccinated is an important way to keep our workplace safe and also to protect our families and our communities from COVID-19. As such, the DP World group is working in partnership with UNICEF to provide global distribution of vaccines and related immunisation supplies in low- and lower-middle-income communities around the world.
P&O Maritime Logistics is grateful to every single employee for taking the steps needed to keep both themselves and those around them safe.