More than seven in ten managers feel concerned by the insecurity abroad, but the overwhelming majority does not provide for any device in case of a problem of a worker in the mission, according to a barometer published on Wednesday.
a mission from a few days to several years of expatriation, companies are more and more numerous to send their employees out of the Hexagon. “With the crisis, many have no other choice than to work internationally, but their employees are then exposed to risks that do not exist in France,” says Alain Juillet, president of the directors Club of enterprise security (CDSE). The organization publishes this Wednesday, December 3, a barometer on the safety and security of employees abroad, with Opinion Way and Axa Assistance.
Is this the fault of news international and its multiple crises, from Ukraine to Hong Kong, passing by Iraq, Guinea and the central African republic? Always it is that according to the survey, 74% of the 310 interviewed managers feel concerned by the issue of insecurity abroad.
The risk of an accident far before the attacks
The terrorist does not appear in the first reasons for the concern of the leaders. “Companies operating in high risk zones are few in number”, tip Alain Juillet, former boss of the private companies, but also of the DGSE. Those who do venture out are often large groups – Total, Areva… – even if some SMES slip sometimes in their wake, for procurement contracts, for example.
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The directions are concerned, especially, of problems more familiar to them: the accidents of the road for 57% of the respondents and the health risks, to 33%. “The contract for hospitalization insurance and assistance is one of the first devices that companies have in place to be able to care for and repatriate the employees in countries where the quality of care is variable.”
The fear of a train accident or airplane attacks, assaults and kidnappings happen more down the list. If Africa and the Middle East to justify enhanced security measures for at least 88% of the bosses, they are no more than 59% to the think for the central and South America, 53% for Asia and 50% for eastern Europe.
Little pros of the crisis management
A little more than half of the companies submit their employees to a specific procedure before it is moved, for example, by explaining to them the behaviour to adopt in the country in question. 61% of executives also provide for a contract of specific assistance to the international.
But the anticipation ends here. According to the survey, 79% of companies have not planned crisis management system. And only 18% have implemented internal classification of the areas at risk, by comparing the data of the ministry of foreign Affairs, other governments or companies.
“Before each time an employee leaves, companies should imagine what might happen in the event of a problem,” argues Alain July. This role should be provided by a director of security. “In the case of an event, it is he who coordinates a crisis response team: to contact the family or the Quai d’orsay during an abduction, anticipating a repatriation of expatriates in a country with a troubled…”, explains Alain July. Gold only 31% of leaders have a person dedicated to security: the HRD in 42% of cases, and a security director for 33% of the respondents.