Pakistan's leading food delivery platform, foodpanda, has introduced multiple programs and systems to ensure all SOPs set by the government of Pakistan are diligently followed.

With heroes and customers facing distress due to multiple social and financial reasons, the organisation is doing its best to ensure that their services without fail prioritise health and safety on both ends.

According to the SOPs shared by the government of Pakistan, all riders and courier companies are expected to carry gloves, face masks, hand sanitisers and protective helmets.

Heroes at foodpanda are expected to disinfect parcels and ensure contactless delivery; they place all parcels at the customer's doorstep to avoid physical contact.

In light of the many safety measures announced, foodpanda is ensuring that all its heroes ensure minimal contact with customers as they drop essential items and scrumptious meals to their doorsteps.

How foodpanda is enabling heroes to fight financial distress

Here are few of the many ways the company has been extending support:

1. Monthly rounds of monetary support

Since Covid-19 has forced temporary suspension of services for quite many restaurants in Pakistan, those who rely heavily on daily wages are facing increased distress in these trying times.

To play their role in helping such people, foodpanda has been introducing a number of policies and funds to empower its heroes.

The company is giving away ration bags and monthly monetary support to ensure all heroes remain financially stable.

The first shift of monetary support was given in March, followed by three weeks of financial support at the start of April.

2. Insurance

Due to the lockdown, economic activity has slowed down massively, and businesses, public services, markets, restaurants, delivery platforms - including foodpanda - have had to suspend their operations in most cities of Pakistan.

With little to no work, foodpanda heroes have fallen prey to a number of financial issues that are being tactfully handled by Pakistan’s largest online food delivery platform, foodpanda.

The company states that, in case a hero tests positive for Covid-19, they will be entitled to paid leave under their newly-launched ‘two weeks earning support programme’ which is an extension of the company's insurance collaboration with TPL Insurance.

In addition to this, the collaboration also full covers damages incurred due to road accidents.

After the first round of payments in March, many delivery heroes expressed their gratitude as these steps helped ease worries of many and lessened their burden.

3. Daily checks to exercise prevention and care

Mandatory temperature checks at rider hubs take place daily. These are then expected to be updated by the riders on their online portal before they kickstart the day; the shift cannot begin if a hero hasn't punched in his temperature in the system.

Infographics are installed at rider hubs to create awareness on how to prevent a virus catch.

Daily reminders are sent via riders' app to heroes prompting them to adhere to safety measures during the time of Covid-19.

Distribution of face masks, gloves and hand sanitisers to heroes is a regular practice incorporated by the foodpanda team.

The company is doing all to ensure strict adherence to the SOPs introduced by the government is made possible.

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