Andrew Stegmann
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Uber Teams Up With Mastercard to Provide 120,000 Free Trips to Front-line Workers in the MEA Region

As cases of COVID-19 continue to escalate, those assisting communities continue to forge ahead. As they work tirelessly to continue to support, feed and protect communities, Mastercard has committed 120,000 free trips and meals to those supporting communities across the Middle East and Africa, which will be facilitated through Uber.

Uber is utilizing their technology and making available their wide network of drivers to ensure those who are supporting communities and the many frontline workers who need to be mobile, have a reliable and efficient way of getting around. Once qualifying workers have successfully signed up through Uber’s website, they can arrange transportation to and from their homes and to where they are needed, such as healthcare facilities or to feed the vulnerable. Uber has shared relevant health information with drivers to ensure they are well-informed in COVID-19 related safety protocols and have been provided with masks and sanitizer reimbursements.

Mastercard is helping people around the world navigate these challenging times. While ensuring that its network remains secure, resilient and reliable, Mastercard is also applying its technology, philanthropy, and data science expertise to rebuild healthy communities and ensure that economic growth is inclusive. As millions of people across the world come together to support, feed and protect their communities, Mastercard is extending its support to help those who help others.  

This strategic partnership between Mastercard and Uber spans across the region and through key partnerships will aim to support cities, hospitals, front line workers and marginalized communities with free rides.

Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President Market Development, Mastercard, MEA explains, “Mastercard continues to partner with digital players across the value chain to build a more connected world by supporting our communities. With our partner Uber, we are committed to support healthcare and essential workers who are working tirelessly to take care of us. Uber’s mission to improve lives is matched with Mastercard’s mission of doing well by doing good, together we are focused on helping frontline workers across the region feel confident and safe with access to free transportation.”

Anthony le Roux Regional General Manager, Uber, Middle East and Africa, “It is our role to help the society by providing relief, especially those who work tirelessly to support our communities. This is the largest partnership for us across MEA and we are amazed at Mastercard’s relentless effort to make a difference. We are proud to be working alongside them to ensure those supporting our communities, especially those on the frontline, have access to safe and reliable transport.”

This is just a start and this commitment comes as part of Uber’s global pledge to help communities in need to “Move What Matters”.

Further initiatives from Uber in Africa:

  • Kenya: Uber has teamed up with The Nairobi Hospital and Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital to provide trips at a discounted fee to ease movement for medical professionals, ensuring that frontline workers have a reliable and efficient way of getting to and from where their services are required. To support the Kenya COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, Uber has provided free trips and free deliveries from Uber Eats as they coordinate all coronavirus efforts in the country. Uber will also provide free rides to the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) and Ministry of Health staff.
  • Ivory Coast: Uber has partnered with Ivorian Ministry of Health and SOCIDA, Ivory Coast’s leading automobile dealers and distributors of the Renault, Suzuki, Isuzu and HELI brands, to provide free transportation to health workers in Abidjan.
  • Nigeria: Uber has partnered with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development (MHA) in Nigeria to provide food packages to school children within Lagos and Abuja. The partnership will effectively mobilise transportation of needed food parcels to over 260 identified food banks, to bring necessary relief and support for up to 70 000 households via the foodbank distributions. This allows over 3 million school kids to be fed, while further supporting governmental response teams towards curbing the outbreak. 
  • Ghana: Uber is supporting FreeLunchGH and The Safe Space Foundation with free rides.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann
,

Congratulations to Relocation Africa’s Latest MIM Graduate, Rose Rono

From the entire Relocation Africa team, we would like to wish our Consultant, Rose Rono, congratulations on her recent graduation with EuRA’s Managing International Mobility (MIM) certificate program.

The MIM program is part of the EuRA Academy, which can be accessed by EuRA members, a group which Relocation Africa is part of. Those involved in the program need to complete a number of online modules, including Mobility Industry in Context; Excellence in Service Delivery; Managing International Assignments; and Cultural Theory & Intelligence.

On successful completion of all modules, an individual is given a number of credits, and a MIM certificate, which Rose can be seen proudly holding below.

We are fortunate to have so many engaged, passionate people as part of our team, and Rose has exemplified this with her MIM achievement. Once again, congratulations.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann
,

International Comparative Legal Guide to Corporate Immigration 2020

This information is courtesy of Famsville Solicitors.

The seventh edition of the International Comparative Legal Guide to Corporate Immigration has been published for 2020. This guide provides a practical, cross-border insight into corporate immigration law, and features contributions from a number of firms.

Expert chapters include:

  • COVID-19 and the global immigration shutdown
  • Global overview on modern slavery and corporate supply chain compliance
  • PERM law in viral America

Q&A chapters include regions such as Australia, Egypt, France, Ghana, Japan, Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, UAE, UK, and USA.

You can read the guide for free online by clicking here.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann
,

South Africa to Remain on Lock-down Level 3, With Alcohol Ban and Curfews Returning

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the reintroduction of a number of lockdown restrictions as the country grapples with rising coronavirus cases.

In a national address on Sunday evening (12 July), Ramaphosa said that the country is now expecting a surge of infections and that the ‘storm is now upon us’.

He noted that the country has reported a total of 260,242 confirmed cases, with more than 12,000 new cases being reported every day. This means that there are effectively 500 new cases being reported every hour.

He added that more than 4,079 fatalities have been reported in the country to date. The president said that Gauteng is fast approaching 100,000 cases, while the Eastern Cape is approaching 50,000 cases. The Western Cape is soon set to hit 80,000 cases.

He said that the country’s provinces will see different ‘peaks’ in coronavirus cases between the end of July, to September.

“While the surge in infections is expected, the force and speed which they have progressed have quite understandably caused concern amongst us,” he said.

“The coronavirus storm is far fiercer and more destructive than any other we have experienced before.”

Restrictions

While most South Africans have taken steps to limit the spread of the coronavirus, president Ramaphosa said that there are some that continue to ignore regulations, and have failed to take steps to protect themselves and others.

This includes people who have organised parties and fail to wear masks in public places. The president said that there have also been a number of funerals with more than 50 people.

To this end, Ramaphosa said that the country’s National coronavirus Command Council deliberated on whether to return all or parts of the country to a higher lockdown level.

However, it noted that this was unlikely to decrease the number of coronavirus cases, while causing untold harm to the economy.

Instead, Ramaphosa said that government will be ‘tightening’ existing regulations including:

  • The country will remain at lockdown level 3;
  • The wearing of cloth masks will be mandatory including stricter rules around the wearing of masks at workplaces and while travelling. Further regulations on this issue are set to be gazetted at a later date;
  • Taxis taking long trips will have to adhere to 70% occupancy. Taxis taking shorter trips may increase capacity to 100%, subject to strict health protocols;
  • The sale, dispensing and distributing of alcohol has been suspended with immediate effect;
  • A curfew will be put in place between 21h00 and 04h00, except for people who travel for work, or require urgent medical assistance. This curfew will come into effect from Monday (13 July);
  • Parks will be opened for exercise, but will not be allowed for gathering purposes;
  • Family visits and other social visits will remain prohibited.

President Ramaphosa added that the national state of disaster has been extended to 15 August as part of these new lockdown measures.

To read the President’s full speech, click here.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].