Hello, everyone.
Some of our employees are working for the customer at his place to provide maintenance and address other project-related issues. Such employees are sent to the customer's site, and they will be working there on a temporary transfer basis. The customer will provide official accommodation for these employees by charging nominally. The problem is that the local people are not allowing them to work and are threatening them with dire consequences if they continue working. The locals are demanding that we should appoint local people for these tasks. However, the customer is not accepting this as there is no abundant local talent in the area. The employees are being physically assaulted in front of their family members. The customer is advising them to file a police complaint. Under these circumstances, what should we do? Is it not the responsibility of the customer to provide security for the personnel working with them? If a police complaint is lodged by non-local employees, the situation may worsen. Please guide us on this issue by providing reasonable options.
From India, Hyderabad
1Some of our employees are working for the customer at his place to provide maintenance and address other project-related issues. Such employees are sent to the customer's site, and they will be working there on a temporary transfer basis. The customer will provide official accommodation for these employees by charging nominally. The problem is that the local people are not allowing them to work and are threatening them with dire consequences if they continue working. The locals are demanding that we should appoint local people for these tasks. However, the customer is not accepting this as there is no abundant local talent in the area. The employees are being physically assaulted in front of their family members. The customer is advising them to file a police complaint. Under these circumstances, what should we do? Is it not the responsibility of the customer to provide security for the personnel working with them? If a police complaint is lodged by non-local employees, the situation may worsen. Please guide us on this issue by providing reasonable options.
From India, Hyderabad
I strongly feel that the security part of the employees who are working with the customer is the responsibility of the customer only, but the primary responsibility lies with the employer. Hence, the employer should ensure that conducive atmosphere at the customer's place; otherwise, it is better not to deploy because:
- Managing the local issues will be difficult for the employer.
- Providing security at others' place may not be possible.
- Employees feel that why they should work in a threatened area.
- Employees may not be interested in going into police records.
- Any human being will be working for their bread/butter and for their family; hence, employees may reject relocation.
- Possibility of a lot of insecurity among employees.
- Employees may leave the organization and opt for a peaceful life by working in other organizations.
- The company's image will go down in the market.
- Even if employees approach the police, the situation may worsen.
Considering all the above points, you should demand the customer to own the responsibility and make necessary arrangements so that your employees will work comfortably and deliver the goods. Failing which, it will be better to scrap the contracts/agreements, or if possible, better to complete the process at your place and deliver.
Thanks and regards - Kamesh
From India, Hyderabad
- Managing the local issues will be difficult for the employer.
- Providing security at others' place may not be possible.
- Employees feel that why they should work in a threatened area.
- Employees may not be interested in going into police records.
- Any human being will be working for their bread/butter and for their family; hence, employees may reject relocation.
- Possibility of a lot of insecurity among employees.
- Employees may leave the organization and opt for a peaceful life by working in other organizations.
- The company's image will go down in the market.
- Even if employees approach the police, the situation may worsen.
Considering all the above points, you should demand the customer to own the responsibility and make necessary arrangements so that your employees will work comfortably and deliver the goods. Failing which, it will be better to scrap the contracts/agreements, or if possible, better to complete the process at your place and deliver.
Thanks and regards - Kamesh
From India, Hyderabad
Hello,
Further to what Kamesh suggested, please confirm the security-related terms you have in the MoU/Agreement between your company and the customer. Many of the options available to you will depend on this aspect.
Regarding your statement "The customer is asking them to give a police complaint," please ask the customer to lodge the police complaint. Primarily, it is their HR/IR problem. In case they do not take this step, it will be your company's HR that will have to lodge the police complaint on behalf of the company's employees, not the employees at the individual level.
You have not mentioned the size of the customer company. If they have a corporate office elsewhere, I suggest escalating the issue and taking it up with their head office.
Additionally, you have not specified the type of project your employees are involved in. If it relates to land acquisition for projects such as power plants, the issue may be much larger than just preventing attendance at duty.
In the worst-case scenario at this point, it may be necessary to suspend your employees' activities at the site until things are sorted out between your company and the customer at the official level. I recommend involving your company's legal counsel since such situations could have legal implications later on. It is better to take action with these long-term aspects in mind.
Regards,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
Further to what Kamesh suggested, please confirm the security-related terms you have in the MoU/Agreement between your company and the customer. Many of the options available to you will depend on this aspect.
Regarding your statement "The customer is asking them to give a police complaint," please ask the customer to lodge the police complaint. Primarily, it is their HR/IR problem. In case they do not take this step, it will be your company's HR that will have to lodge the police complaint on behalf of the company's employees, not the employees at the individual level.
You have not mentioned the size of the customer company. If they have a corporate office elsewhere, I suggest escalating the issue and taking it up with their head office.
Additionally, you have not specified the type of project your employees are involved in. If it relates to land acquisition for projects such as power plants, the issue may be much larger than just preventing attendance at duty.
In the worst-case scenario at this point, it may be necessary to suspend your employees' activities at the site until things are sorted out between your company and the customer at the official level. I recommend involving your company's legal counsel since such situations could have legal implications later on. It is better to take action with these long-term aspects in mind.
Regards,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
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