CBRE Cares Foundation through its ‘Ek Pehal’ initiative will address health, nutrition-related concerns of migrant labourers and their families across various locations in India
CBRE South Asia, a real estate consulting firm, recently announced the launch of its foundation ‘CBRE Cares’ – the firm’s corporate philanthropy programme- in India and pledged its efforts to address health and nutrition-related concerns of migrant labourers and their families (women and children) across various locations in the country. The launch of CBRE Cares also coincides with the completion of 25 successful years of CBRE in the country.
The India-edition of the global programme CBRE Cares – Ek Pehal was launched by Robert E Sulentic, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBRE Group and Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO, India, South East Asia, Middle East and Africa, CBRE Group.
As per the statistics of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), construction sector is the third largest employer in the country accounting for close to 50 million people. A major proportion of this is constituted by migrant labourers and their families who often don’t have access to basic health services, hygienic environment and awareness and suffer from high level of malnutrition and exposure to unsafe environment. The programme ‘Ek Pehal’ has been designed to bridge the wide gap towards access to basic healthcare by migrant workers and their family members.
Addressing the gathering during the launch of the programme, Sulentic said, “Making a difference is the hallmark of the CBRE Cares programme and the ‘Ek Pehal’ initiative will aim at bringing positive changes in the lives of migrant workers and their families at various locations. In CBRE, we strongly believe in giving back to the community and I am sure ‘Ek Pehal’ will motivate others to join this noble cause,” he said.
Commenting on the launch Magazine said, “It’s a matter of pride for us to bring CBRE Foundation into India. It is our responsibility to support the migrant labourers and ‘Ek Pehal’ initiatives is just a beginning towards a bigger objective. We are sure it will be recognised for its contribution.”
In the coming months CBRE will collaborate with a charitable organisation to achieve the larger objectives of CBRE Cares. The key consideration for selecting a charitable organisation will be its ability to undertake projects at a national level and engage with migrant workers, understanding their concerns and addressing the health and nutrition concerns of their families.
Some issues which are faced by migrant workers in the country include – neglect, unsafe environment, malnutrition, instability, drop out from school, lack of access to quality healthcare and nutrition, lack of hope for a different or better life.