Daimler India Commercial Vehicles begins vaccinating truck drivers

August 19, 2021

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has started to vaccinate truck drivers at the company’s on-site vaccination centre in its Oragadam Plant. The vaccinations are being given free of charge and drivers don’t have to drive a Daimler truck in order to qualify for the free jabs.

Over 60 drivers were vaccinated on the first day, adding to DICV’s growing vaccination count. The company has already inoculated over 3 000 individuals working for suppliers and third-party contractors, in addition to over 3 000 employees and dependants.

Satyakam Arya, MD and CEO of DICV, notes that vaccination is India’s best hope for surviving the pandemic and returning to normalcy. “At DICV, we are proud to do our part to ensure the health and well-being of our employees and their loved ones by providing easy access to free, safe vaccinations. It is our honour to further extend vaccination support to all the truck drivers who help keep the world moving.”

DICV began a company-sponsored vaccination drive in May for its employees and their dependants. Within two months, the company achieved its mission of having given at least one dose to all medically eligible employees. It is now striving to achieve full, two-dose vaccination for both employees and dependants as soon as possible.

DICV has rolled out over 100 initiatives during the pandemic to support its stakeholders and help prevent the spread of Covid-19. In addition to its internally developed health and wellness app, the company has also conducted dozens of educational webinars to inform stakeholders of the need for vaccinations and social distancing.

The latest assistance measure rolled out for employees is the new DICV Support Programme for dependants, which offers extended medical coverage and financial support for families in the event of an employee’s demise due to Covid-19. The policy provides long-term aid to the dependants of full-time employees, including either an ex gratia pay-out of INR 10 Lakhs (roughly R201 207) or the cost to company over two years, whichever is higher. The dependants will also receive an ex gratia salary for three years.

DICV is also extending financial support for education until graduation for up to two children per employee, along with a medical insurance extension for up to five years and funeral and transportation expense reimbursement for dependants. An additional benevolent fund contribution from all permanent employees of DICV has also been created.

In June this year, DICV also announced a slew of extra initiatives to help dealer partners and staff during the ongoing pandemic. The support package included financial and medical benefits (vaccinations, insurance, incentives) for the dealership workforce, as well as assistance for dealerships.