Firm gives employees Covid-19 packages

Ocean Industries Limited, a Lilongwe-based group of companies, has given its employees special financial packages as part of its response to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic that has devastated the global economy.

The package includes salary advances to employees who have been sent on two-week paid leave in line with measures President Peter Mutharika announced on Saturday to decongest workplaces.

In addition, the company has also provided the employees with health kits and protective gear such as masks for use in their homes.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, the company’s general manager Jagadeesh Kumar said the move was aimed at protecting the employees.

He said: “We had put the hand-washing facilities and sanitisers measures, but seeing the things getting worse we have released our staff on leave for two weeks.

“We have provided salary advances, provided health kits to use at home and food hampers. We want to cushion them from economic hardships, but also protect them from health hazard.”

Ocean Industries is involved in plastics manufacturing, real estate property and car hire businesses. The company employs 80 people.

The President declared Malawi a State of Disaster before the country registered any case of Covid 19.

But the country as of Tuesday had registered eight cases and one death.