Social Service

Regulations concerning accommodation, living conditions and work safety are coming into play, enforced by governments.

Corporate Social Responsibility is a term that has been around for nearly 50 years. Initially interpreted as a form of corporate self-regulation that is integrated into a business model, the term has come to represent a wide ranging mechanism where businesses monitor and ensure their compliance with the spirit of the law, ethical standards and international norms.

In the Middle East, CSR hasn’t always been as well known as it is now. However, that is rapidly changing, with more and more companies starting to become aware of their responsibilities to their employees, consumers, stakeholders and the communities they’re established in.

Story continues below

Advertisement

FEATURED COMMENT Please click here to comment on this article

In addition, with the green movement gathering pace in the region, there has been an increase drive for companies to adopt sustainable green practices as part of the corporate social responsibilities.

As a result, over the last few years, a number of GCC-based companies have begun taking active steps to introduce and integrate CSR into their business plans, and the MEP industry has been no different in this regard.

However, as members of the wider construction industry, and a part of an industry that is heavily focused on the blue collar trades, MEP companies have had to approach CSR with a completely different mindset to the one usually adopted by normal corporations.

Chief among this is the need to ensure the health and safety of labour forces who are often involved in strenuous activity in extreme temperatures, while working in cramped and uncomfortable conditions.

“Ensuring that our blue collar workers work under safe and healthy conditions is our top priority,” says Stelios Thrasyvoulou, finance director of Al Habtoor Specon. He explains that the company regards the training of its workers and ensuring they adhere to international HSE standards and local labour laws very seriously.

He adds that Al Habtoor Specon is committed to continuously improving the quality of the work and living environments that its employees occupy.

As a result, the company’s CSR programme is focused on initiatives in three key areas; people, environment and communities.

“We actively invest in the development of talent through well developed training courses and vocational courses within and outside our organisation. This will continue through internships, apprenticeships and trade certificates, leading to further career development amongst our employees,” he says.

Eamon Sweetman, operations manager for Mercury Middle East, agrees that workers are the most important asset in an MEP company’s arsenal, and improving every aspect of their activities is one of the most important things a contractor can do as it is self beneficial in the long run.

“The benefits of an effective CSR program far outweigh the costs. CSR is more about a way of thinking; it’s a culture within a company. It’s about having a genuine concern for your people and your surroundings, and not just another marketing gimmick,” Sweetman says.

“Just remember, these people have left their families to come and earn a living. We have a duty to them to take care of them, without them we cannot deliver the quality our clients demand,” he adds.