If you want to hear first-hand insight of the impact of COVID-19 on factory workers in emerging markets, this podcast is for you. Meet Dominic McVey; Entrepreneur, Board member and adviser with companies, INGOs and governments in Sri Lanka, Ethiopia and Kenya. During our conversation Dominic provides candid insights of the effects of COVID-19 on vulnerable workers, value chains and the systems that support them
Though Dominic doesn't shy away from the potential for things to get much worse for vulnerable workers, his practical recommendations on how safe trade can continue are invaluable. He talks about the realities of cross border trade, logistics, and the need to keep people in jobs for as long as possible. He urges business to be adaptable and search out repurposing opportunities.
“We all need to play our part in keeping our economy going.” Stresses Dominic.
This podcast isn’t all doom and gloom though, Dominic’s suggestions of ways we can rebuild better could mean that more people from emerging markets get access to markets through digitalisation; he suggests why contactless trade could revolutionise commerce; and how this could have a positive impact on reducing the need for carbon intensive transport.
His final call to action: “Look beyond the numbers. Think about the compassionate elements of your business. As we come out of COVID we will look to the businesses who did the right things.”
Links:
Business of COVID-19 Response Centre: snipbfp.org/C19_ResponseCentre
Business Fights Poverty: businessfightspoverty.org