New Delhi, 23 September 2020: Dettol BSI, the flagship programme by Reckitt Benckiser, global consumer healthcare company, and National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) have come together to support street vendors in India and create a healthy and hygienic environment for them. The nationwide partnership aims to provide training and access to hygiene products like soaps and masks to ensure better health and hygiene practices. Simultaneously it aims to help them emerge from the languishing financial condition by instilling public confidence in street vending.
The street vendors constitute an integral and legitimate part of the trade and distribution system for the daily necessities of the public. As per a research study done by WEIGO (Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing), they represent 4% of the urban workforce across India. They work in an unprotected environment and usually are the first point of contact in the supply chain for end consumers; this puts them and their customers at high risk. During the pandemic, it becomes crucial to provide appropriate training to vendors on safety and hygiene.
With India re-opening after the lockdown and society still marred by the sudden peaks of the Covid-19, the programme is of paramount importance. Addressing the situation this partnership programme is designed to prepare street vendors to be safe and serve their consumers safely and hygienically. The first phase of the programme has successfully equipped, street vendors, on correct hygienic street vending protocols in the most impacted communities across Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru & Surat.
Commenting on the partnership initiative, Gaurav Jain, Senior Vice President, South Asia, Reckitt Benckiser Health said, "With this programme, our ambition is to create awareness and open a safer path to survival for them in the post-pandemic world. Partnering with National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) was crucial to building back the confidence amongst street vendors. By providing hygiene essentials to help fight the spread of Covid-19 and demonstrating the ease with which they can tackle the pandemic helped thousands of them to get back to work stronger and safer than ever before. We will continue such initiatives with the aim of building a healthier nation."
Arbind Singh, National Coordinator, NASVI said, "The fight against COVID-19 is only possible through a collaborative approach. We are grateful to have partnered with India’s most trusted hygiene brand, Dettol, to support the street vendor community in India. Preparing them to successfully function in the new normal equipped with the right knowledge and the means to protect themselves as well as avoid spread of the virus was crucial."
The partnership programme has also trained staff and volunteers visiting the field with instructions regarding correct preventive measures for themselves. Additionally, to assist them with essentials, Dettol BSI distributed 5,00,000 soap bars & 2,00,000 face masks to the street vendors with on-ground support from Jagran Pehel and NASVI.
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