In the event that it is necessary to evacuate personnel,
each company should be aware of its responsibilities
of extraditing their travelers.
A firm company policy outlining guidelines of return
and deportation of expatriate and traveling personnel
must be put in place as an emergency procedure.
As your Travel Management Company, we have a responsibility
to encourage you to create a policy; and have full
understanding of any emergency procedures for returning
personnel in the event that it becomes necessary.
A policy will create equal understanding for anyone
involved in an evacuation, streamlining the operation
and minimising panic.
Because we are an integral part of such an operation,
we suggest that preparedness will be the key factor
to a swift and successful uplift, however it is vital
that we understand what your guidelines are so your
personnel aren't "caught in a flurry" should
everyone decide to come home at once.
Assistance with drafting a policy:
A policy should be divided into as many sections
as necessary to properly detail operations. In particular
sections should include "International Travel",
"Domestic Travel" (covering guidelines of
both inbound and outbound travel directions); and
"Return of Expatriate Personnel - deportation"
A personnel "travel log" should be created
(and maintained) so that at least one member of your
firm has hard data on who is traveling; where and
when.
International Travel
Research should be carried out to identify all current
expatriate and traveling personnel (matched with their
origins), and a logistic device or procedure formulated
to agree as to "where" is regarded as "safe"
and at what point that it be necessary to uplift them.(eg.
Jakarta - Extradite at earliest possible time, to
ANY Australian city; or New Zealand - Extradite within
3 days of notification to traveler's home city)
An individual budget must be ascertained for the
return of each International Traveler.
A "constant contact" schedule should be
determined and all sectors of travel should be reconfirmed
with your office on a set basis, confirming the traveler's
intention to do so, or having done so.
It may be necessary that all International Travelers
register with the Australian Consulate Office in each
country they intend visiting, and advise them that
they intend to depart once decided. Australian Embassy
information can be found on our website at www.dbt.com.au/tools_dbt.htm
then click "Australian Embassies".
All intending passengers should carry (separate to
originals), copies of all travel documents, first
two pages of their passport and copies of any visas
issued for that trip with them at all times. They
should also file copies of these with your firm.
You should also consider passengers traveling with
your own personnel (eg. a client), and whether or
not your policy would reflect their movements, or
if indeed their own company has its own policy and
evacuation procedure.
The Australian Department
of Foreign Affairs & Trade are responsible
for providing updates on International Travel, and
do. As well, in the event of evacuation, airlines
offer emergency and added flights to see that Australians
are returned home. DBT will keep you informed of additional
flights as they may be introduced, should the situation
heighten and you feel the need to bring your people
home.
Domestic Travel
One can only presume that domestic travel would offer
far less threat than International. However, it's
important and possibly legally required that your
policy cover these travelers.
Similarly to that of International Travel, you should
keep a maintained timetable of traveling personnel.
Which cities, who and when.
An individual budget should be ascertained for the
return of each Domestic Traveler.
In the event of disaster, consider a "base check-in"
schedule where travelers periodically advise you of
their movements while traveling.
Again, you should consider passengers traveling with
your own personnel (eg. a client), and whether or
not your policy would reflect their movements, or
if indeed their own company has its own policy and
evacuation procedure.
The strongest consideration may be "under what
circumstances would I have to move a passenger from
one city to another", as a matter of emergency?
Return of Expatriate Personnel - From Australia
This area must be given some strong consideration.
Depending on where their country of origin is, the
expat` and your firm must consider if it is indeed
deemed safer to stay in Australia.
For this reason, expatriates should be included in
the policy-making process so you can plan well in
advance.
Understandably, many expats` have family back home
and may wish to be uplifted and returned. Should this
be the case, again; you need to determine when an
emergency is actually an emergency and detail a policy
accordingly.
You should consider how many family members the deportation
involves and accordingly schedule a budget and "pecking
order", for the safe return of a family.
General Considerations
You should inquire whether or not any travel partners
(Hotels etc) have an Evacuation Policy in place. DBT
will keep you abreast of any policies that we discover,
that may affect your personnel and their safety.
You should also inquire and consider policies of
your own trading partners (eg. Suppliers etc) that
your personnel might be traveling with, and whether
or not they in fact have these in place. This is particularly
important when a supplier is hosting the trip.
International companies should see that local policies
are in line with Global Policies, and that resolutions
simulate.
Your policy should include a clause/clauses regarding
the return of company equipment, documents and the
likes; and personal chattel.
Disclaimer
Our operation "Home Safe" is merely an
awareness campaign, not to cause alarm. It's the companies
that take the time to understand the circumstances,
and put a policy in place, that are seen to be protecting
their personnel.
In arranging your policy, you may wish to consult
your Legal or HR Departments to find out if you have
certain responsibilities to your travelers.
Our assistance in drafting a policy is not legally
binding and may differ from recommendations made by
your own professionals. Again, we offer personal recommendations
that are subject your own determination.
Ultimately, we want to draw to your attention the
importance of having a policy in place so we can in
turn, assure you of our professional services should
we be in a situation that we need to extradite your
personnel.
IMPORTANT:
Please let us file a copy of your policy once complete.
Should you feel the need to discuss our ideas further,
please don't hesitate contact Donna
directly by email. It's all part of the DBT service
and thinking well ahead.
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