Protecting lives and livelihoods: Unilever Philippines to provide free vaccines for all employees, dependents

Unilever Philippines announced it has completed purchased agreements of Covid-19 vaccines to cover for all its employees and their qualified dependents in line with its Covid-19 response program “Malasakit for All.”

“We believe that the vaccines are key to protecting lives and livelihoods in the long term and we support the government in its efforts to ensure equitable supply and access. As we rely on our economic frontliners to provide essential goods throughout this period, our vaccination program is an assurance that the safety and wellbeing our employees and their families continue to be our priority,” shares Benjie Yap, Chairman and CEO of Unilever Philippines. 

The company underscores that it will not require employees to get vaccinated but would strongly encourage for them to do so. Through intensive information campaigns and consultation with medical experts, the company hopes to raise vaccine confidence among its employees and contribute to the country’s health resilience.

Unilever assures the public that will abide by government guidelines on proper administration. In parallel, the company also seeks to donate vaccines for public use in coordination with government authorities.

Unilever Philippines continues its partnership with the Philippine Red Cross to ensure that testing is accessible for employees and their families. The company also worked with medical response teams for its “Malasakit Centers” which serve as temporary accommodation for employees who are unable to isolate in their home or within their barangay. 

Humanitarian efforts under ‘Malasakit for All’

Through the assistance of Zuellig Pharma, Metro Drug, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Unilever donated ventilators and PPEs to complement the country’s health response in 2020. The company also recently announced its landmark partnership with the Philippine Public Health Association for a nationwide movement to strengthen hygiene practices and ensure accessibility of affordable and effective cleaning products such as Domex, Lifebuoy, Closeup, Breeze, and Surf.

“Building trust across communities and consumers is a way to move forward from today’s challenges. Through our purpose-driven brands, we continue to find ways to extend assistance and ‘malasakit’ where it is needed,” shared Ed Sunico, VP for Communication – SEA.

Unilever Philippines has partnered with other members of the private sector for wide-ranging programs on health and sustainability for the benefit of consumers and communities in need.

The company’s actions are designed to help protect the lives and livelihoods of its multiple stakeholders – including its consumers and communities, its customers and suppliers, and its workforce.

Early response to Covid-19

In March 2020, Unilever announced a global commitment to contribute more than €100m to continue helping people around the world through donations of soap, sanitizer, bleach and an offer of €500m of cash flow relief to support livelihoods across its extended value chain. Unilever Philippines unveiled its “Malasakit for All” program covering Php100M donation of food and hygiene products, Php 1B cash flow relief for vulnerable customers and small suppliers, and 100% guaranteed pay for employees that are unable to work due to the constraints brought about by the pandemic.

 

Unilever Philippines announces vaccination program for employees and qualified dependents under comprehensive Covid-19 response “Malasakit for All.” In parallel, the company also seeks to donate vaccines for public use in coordination with government authorities.

 

This is a paid press release from Unilever Philippines