Grab Vietnam spends $3 million supporting driver and merchant partners from COVID-19

Grab installed protective sheets between GrabCar drivers and customers to avoid COVID-19 infection

According to Nguyen Thai Hai Van, CEO of Grab Vietnam, the financial support is Grab’s latest effort to join hands with the government in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. The move is expected to stimulate the economy, protect driver-partners’ livelihoods, and facilitate merchant partners to maintain operation on Grab’s platform amidst the health crisis. All of the initiatives are also aimed at bringing the best experience to customers.

Accordingly, Grab provides COVID-19 insurance packages worth VND100 million ($4,350) each for select driver-partners with good performance on its platform. Should driver-partners test positive for COVID-19 by health authorities, the insurance package will not only cover their medical expenses but also grant them an allowance of VND10 million ($435) in cash. If driver-partners are quarantined as requested by regulatory bodies, Grab will offer them a one-off payment of VND100,000 ($4.35) per day for 14 days maximum.

Grab is giving some much-needed financial support for its best performing driver and delivery partners

Grab will closely monitor the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide suitable policies to ensure the average earnings of drivers during the crisis, especially those who have been active on the Grab platform for a long time.

The company will also support fast-food restaurant chains as well as 500 small- and medium-sized merchant partners in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. The firm will use the fund to implement a range of support activities such as running ads, promotions, and increasing PR activities, thereby helping restaurants attract new customers and increase revenue. Grab will support part of the rental fees of eligible merchant partners to maintain their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, Grab will make an effort to support the local community and the Vietnamese government to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this initiative, Grab will donate VND2 billion ($86,960) to the local COVID-19 support fund.

Grab will also use part of this $3 million fund to support volunteers at quarantine areas at the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City with food and rides. For consumers, Grab provides free delivery for every order on GrabFood. All shipping expenses are paid from Grab’s pockets without affecting the earnings of driver-partners.

Grab also assists volunteers at quarantine areas with free rides and meals

“Grab can provide this budget thanks to our constant efforts to optimise operating costs and changing the calculation of GrabRewards points. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Grab employees and Grab users in Vietnam for their contribution to the budget to support Grab's partners. The support is expected to help Grab’s driver and merchant partners overcome this difficult period while fulfilling the Grab for Good Development roadmap in Vietnam,” Van said.

With the support, Grab has taken quick action to ensure the health and safety of its partners while showing solidarity with the government to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Grab has proven itself to be one of the most active pioneers in community support programmes, constantly trying to improve the quality of life for consumers and society through its services.