{"id":42815,"date":"2015-10-26T10:08:48","date_gmt":"2015-10-26T09:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/zones-sensibles-la-vigilance-fait-force-de-loi-20151026.html"},"modified":"2023-04-17T17:00:22","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T15:00:22","slug":"vigilance-is-the-law-in-sensitive-areas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/en\/vigilance-is-the-law-in-sensitive-areas","title":{"rendered":"Sensitive areas - Vigilance is the law"},"content":{"rendered":"

High risk, high reward\"; \"high risk, high impact<\/em>\"English speakers have a talent for concise phrases, which are effective alternatives to long speeches. This is the perfect way to describe business trips to sensitive areas. With business opportunities emerging all over Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, a growing number of companies are looking there for the growth they can no longer find in the 'old' economies, which are as mature as they are morose. As well as an abundance of raw materials, these countries now have enormous needs in terms of international-standard infrastructure and high-quality transport, as well as the consumer products that the new middle classes are so keen to buy.<\/p>\n

However, the ambitions of companies come up against the reality of these states where, very often, political instability is added to organised crime and a precarious level of health. Unfortunately, the business climate in Lagos is not as serene as in Tokyo, and personal safety is far less guaranteed in Mexico City than in Brussels. Business travellers accustomed to these destinations are well aware of this: in most of the major emerging metropolises, it's far from easy to stroll around with a smile on your face. Especially as the heat of the tropics and the jetlag can distract their attention.<\/p>\n

The huge disparity between the standard of living of executives on assignment and expatriates and the local population is a breeding ground for violent robberies and even kidnappings, which are a real business in Nigeria and Mexico... When it's not politically-motivated kidnappings making the news, such as the kidnapping of Areva and Vinci employees at a uranium extraction site in Niger or the massive hostage-taking at the In Amenas gas complex in Algeria.<\/p>\n

Although the names Boko Haram, AQIM or the Islamic State give security directors cold sweats, multinationals and SMEs alike have an obligation to do everything they can to protect their employees... Article L4121-1 of the French Labour Code makes employers responsible for their employees' safety. They have two duties: firstly, to provide preventive information, but also to provide support and assistance where necessary or where there is a proven risk. Since 11 September 2001, legislation on the duty of care has been tightened around the world, particularly in France. The Karachi attack, which killed eleven employees of the Direction de constructions navales (DCN) in 2002, gave rise to a body of case law highlighting the \"inexcusable fault of the employer\".<\/p>\n

Awareness of danger<\/h2>\n

Professionals are well aware of the danger. \"Especially as the risks are not limited to the health and safety of the traveller. Imagine the financial and media impact in the event of a problem.<\/em>\" says Cedric Lefort, BCD Travel's Senior Director of Global Business Solutions for the Europe-Middle East-Africa (EMEA) region. According to the 2014 American Express barometer, which takes the pulse of business travel every year, the subject is key for 69% of the travel managers surveyed, an increase of 24 points in just two years. Security has even become their second priority in terms of travel management, behind cost control. According to the survey, all measures have been strengthened, including the ability to contact employees while they are travelling, to repatriate them or to locate them.<\/p>\n

Obviously, these companies have not achieved such results alone, and have relied on specialists. Some, like Mondial Assistance and EuropAssistance, have built their reputation on their medical expertise and repatriation capabilities. But others have a much more 'muscular' CV. Scutum Security First (SSF), Anticip and Geos, which were founded by former high-ranking military officers or members of intervention forces such as the GIGN, draw on their experience in the field and their networks to ensure the safe reception and travel of executives on mission. \"For cultural reasons, but also because they are rather fussy about their sensitive data, French companies often prefer to deal with partners in France. But we also work for Swiss and German companies.<\/em>\"says Josselin Ravalec, Anticip's Sales Director.<\/p>\n

From an operational point of view, risk management players are valued above all for their ability to manage assignments with referenced local partners. As we have seen, this is one of the employer's legal obligations, in the same way as prevention. \"The only places where we are not present are Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Libya, where we do not have the capacity to fully play our role of support.<\/em>\"says Pierre-Jacques Costedoat. For its part, Anticip draws its strength from its presence \"in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, in all those countries close to chaos where all travel must be ultra-secure. However, we have no difficulty in recognising that we have less of a presence in Latin America. It's not possible to be the best everywhere<\/em>\"explains Josselin Ravalec.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Support rather than prohibit<\/h2>\n

The Anglo-Saxon world also boasts a number of players, including Securitas, G4S, Crisis 24, iJet and Control Risks. In 2008, Control Risks joined forces with assistance provider International SOS. \"Our message sometimes differs from that of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We do not advise people not to travel to any particular country, with the exception, at present, of Syria, Somalia or certain regions of the Central African Republic. We are there to facilitate such travel rather than restrict it.<\/em>\"says C\u00f4me Desgr\u00e9es du Lo\u00fb, Regional Security Director for Europe, specialising in consultancy and training for the joint venture.<\/p>\n

Far from preventing companies from setting out to conquer these new markets, risk management consultancies are there to support them every step of the way. Upstream, this involves informing travellers and organising journeys, but also, where necessary, taking action. \"Admittedly, we do not have the resources of a regalian force, but thanks to our local partners, we try as much as possible to come to their aid in the event of a problem, for example if an employee is blocked in a demonstration. If that's not possible, we can tell them what emergency measures they need to take to get to safety.<\/em>\"explains C\u00f4me Desgr\u00e9es du Lo\u00fb.<\/p>\n

Need for information<\/h2>\n

International SOS also draws on its experience as a medical assistance provider to organise evacuations. \"As we have an in-house travel agency, we can pre-book seats on scheduled airline flights, but we can also charter aircraft via one of our air coordination centres. We prepare for every eventuality. For example, we sent teams to Burundi ahead of time to assess the situation on the ground, a country where there was a risk of deterioration due to the forthcoming elections. Thanks to this advance reconnaissance, we were able to organise a road evacuation to Kigali, Rwanda, from where the staff were able to catch a plane to Paris.<\/em>\"says International SOS-Control Risks' Regional Security Director for Europe.<\/p>\n

Before reaching such extremes, all these specialists intend to limit the occurrence of problems through information and prevention. \"A well-prepared trip reduces claims<\/em>\"says Josselin Ravalec. As well as offering hotlines that can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, these seasoned observers disseminate their knowledge via e-mails sent to travellers before their departure. These alerts contain information about current events in the country, dangerous locations for demonstrations during election periods, and health-related events. At the same time, to get a precise idea of potential problems, travellers can consult websites that map out the different types of risk by country, region or even city on a daily basis.<\/p>\n

These specialists also focus their services on training. \"Some of our customers require all travellers to sensitive areas to pass through our hands first.<\/em>\"says Pierre-Jacques Costedoat of SSF. Similarly, International SOS and Control Risks organise information sessions on risks in general or on a particular destination, as well as face-to-face training. \"Our briefings are contextualised according to the person and the destination. They differ for a junior or senior manager, depending on whether the traveller is male or female. In Algeria, for example, the risks faced by a French citizen are not really the same as those faced by a German or Moroccan national.<\/em>\"says C\u00f4me Desgr\u00e9es du Lo\u00fb.<\/p>\n

Risk prevention also involves defining and auditing security systems. \"If we look at the Karachi attack, there was a system in place, but it had not been reviewed for two or three years. Now everything is changing<\/em>\"says Pierre-Jacques Costedoat. His company, like most of its competitors, offers to integrate safety experts into the on-site teams, responsible for implementing instructions and ensuring that evacuation plans are always up to date.<\/p>\n

\"Many<\/p>\n

\"We also have a role to play in economic intelligence, particularly in assessing companies' partners. Setting up in many countries involves creating a joint venture with a local company. But what are its political networks? Is there an image risk with its practices and its leader? These are important questions that need to be answered.<\/em>\"adds SSF's founder. Protecting the company's sensitive data is also part of the mission. Anticip's response is \"aad hoc requests to check that a hotel or new premises are technically secure<\/em>\"says Josselin Ravalec.<\/p>\n

Despite their best efforts, these specialists are not all-risk agencies. For their part, travellers should follow a few good practices to avoid problems, starting with knowing who they are going to be greeted by on arrival, and possibly agreeing a code to identify themselves. Other precautionary advice can help to avoid many inconveniences, such as staying in a hotel that is not a potential target, or avoiding key political locations such as the Place de la Nation or Place de l'Ind\u00e9pendance. To get around, it's best to choose vehicles that are in good condition, but not flashy like the latest Hummer model, and in any case to opt for domestic flights rather than car journeys on long routes. \"If this is not possible, it is essential to drive during the day, carrying fully charged mobile phones and the means to recharge them from a cigarette lighter, as well as alternative means of communication such as satellite phones.<\/em>\"advises C\u00f4me Desgr\u00e9es du Lo\u00fb.<\/p>\n

\"With<\/p>\n

Because today, technology is clearly one of the tools of security. Each specialist offers its own solution. Whether it's TravelTracker from International SOS, SSF Locator from SSF or Anticip Travel, which uses Concur's Risk Messaging solution, they are all based on Passenger Name Records (PNR), the travel agencies' passenger files that companies can sort to find out where their employees are on a day-to-day basis. The major agencies play a pivotal role in security, offering solutions in conjunction with assistance companies, insurers and, of course, risk management professionals. C\u00e9dric Lefort, from BCD Travel, explains how he works with companies' main partners: \"We provide them with real-time booking data. But we also have our own solutions, in particular our TripSource application.<\/em>\"<\/p>\n

In this context, travellers play a key role in their own safety by entering changes to their schedules or agreeing to be geolocated. SSF, which has just launched the SSF LocateMe application, invites \"travellers to be recognised by the application once they arrive at the airport, and again after checking in at the hotel. If they are travelling to a dangerous area, they should remember to activate the geolocation function, which will track their position almost every minute.<\/em>\"says Pierre-Jacques Costedoat. The application also has two virtual \"buttons\" - Agression SOS and M\u00e9dical SOS - to send a text message and an email to security and travel managers in the event of a problem. For its part, International SOS has joined forces with telecommunications specialist Vismo to strengthen its Travel Tracker product. \"This service uses geofencing technology. If the passenger leaves the permitted zone, a pop-up alert is displayed on their phone, and a message is also sent to their manager. This is coupled with active monitoring. Travellers undertake to call the assistance centre every morning and evening to confirm that they are safe. Their company is alerted if they fail to do so, and search resources are activated if necessary.<\/em>\"says Cosme de Gr\u00e9e du Lo\u00fb.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Click on the link<\/h2>\n

Today, booking tools are increasingly integrating safety issues. SSF automatically sends an e-mail to travellers leaving for a high-risk country, with a link to safety data sheets and company-specific memos containing useful local contact numbers. \"These emails have a read receipt. If the passenger has not clicked on the link, it will be sent back to them 48 hours before their departure. This guarantees that the company has fulfilled its part of the responsibility.<\/em>\"says Pierre- Jacques Costedoat. Failure to consult this information can even block the booking process. \"For one of our customers, we add a link to the travel itinerary that we send to the traveller. Only when they are aware of the risks can the ticket be issued. In the same way, booking an aircraft can be prohibited using the self-booking tools, or else be subject to a much more complex approval circuit.<\/em>\"explains C\u00e9dric Lefort.<\/p>\n

This same spirit of caution is embodied in both the Anticip Travel solution and TravelReadyPlus, launched last year by International SOS. \"Travellers who book a ticket to a malaria zone receive an e-mail with a link to an e-learning course on malaria.<\/em>. This training is compulsory, and only after it has been validated will the trip be approved.<\/em>\"says Arnaud Derossi, Medical Director Assistance - EMEA at International SOS. Because, aside from high-profile risks such as terrorist attacks or pandemics, medical concerns and car accidents remain the main causes of repatriation.<\/p>\n

Insurance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Blankets, even for hot countries?<\/h2>\n

It's a well-known fact that insurers don't like risk. Of course, specialists such as April International, AXA Assistance, Europ Assistance, l'Europ\u00e9enne d'Assurance and Mondial Assistance offer products that go as far as assistance and repatriation of the employee if necessary. While the cancellation of a trip to a country that has just suffered an attack or natural disaster may be covered, civil wars or popular riots fall outside the scope of cover. Without always defining the countries at risk excluded from their cover, most insurers rely on the opinions issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mondial Assistance is more precise and specifically excludes Afghanistan, North Korea, Iraq, Somalia, Iran, Sudan and Syria from its cover, as well as all countries subject to international sanctions. However, a few niche players such as Chapka Voyages have specialised in 'sensitive' travel. Its Cap Mission contract covers several countries where there is a risk of war, including Afghanistan, Iraq and Nigeria. For its part, ACE Europe provides extended cover for the risks of civil or foreign war. In the most dramatic cases, however, companies are covered by the personal accident insurance policies that are compulsory for all their employees and which, in some cases, cover kidnappings.<\/p>\n