Western Union Pays Tribute to First Responders & Essential Workers in Bahrain
by BTM
Mon, 11 May 2020
Western Union provides fee reduction for frontline and essential workers as a part of company’s ongoing efforts to provide essential money transfers and payments services amid the COVID-19 pandemic
The company, which is a leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments, has announced a 50 per cent fee reduction for front-line responders and essential workers sending money globally via any of its digital channels for the next two weeks. The promotion is a small tribute for frontline workers’ endless commitment to their local communities and dedication to maintain the infrastructure and resources necessary to keep local economies afloat.
More than 65 percent of global citizens working and living across the world occupy roles as first responders or in essential service industries, according to Western Union’s business intelligence. These global citizens indexed high in such roles across major countries: 63 per cent in the US; 67 per cent in the U.K; 68 per cent in France; 70 per cent in Germany; 62 per cent in Australia; 58 per cent in the UAE and 71 per cent in Saudi Arabia.
“When the world stopped, our first responders and essential workers kept going,” said Western Union President and CEO Hikmet Ersek. “They have continued to show up, day after day, to make it possible for our communities and economies to carry on.”
“Many of the world’s frontline or essential workers are global citizens who regularly send money to loved ones back home. At Western Union, our inspiration comes from our customers who trust us with their hard-earned money. We want to acknowledge their dedication to keeping remittances moving to the communities and economies around the world that depend on them the most and support them as they continue promoting the health and safety of the communities around them.”
The fee reduction, valid with transfer code THANKS2020, applies to any transaction initiated in the majority of Western Union’s digital-enabled countries at westernunion.com or via the Western Union app, and received anywhere Western Union’s Global Network reaches: via bank account or wallet payout in more than 100 countries, as well as retail agent locations in 200 countries and territories. The fee reduction will run from now until May 20, 2020 and is available to first responders representing medical, police and fire department professionals as well as essential workers across food, transport, utility, and other essential industries, including manufacturing and construction.
According to the World Bank, Bahrain was one of the top 40 remittance-sending countries in the world in 2018. The top remittance-recipient countries were India, Egypt, Pakistan, the Philippines and Bangladesh. “Western Union and NEC Money Exchange are grateful to this community of global citizens for contributing here in Bahrain while also supporting and sustaining their families back home,” said Hatem Sleiman, Head of Network. Middle East & South Asia, Western Union.
Western Union and the Western Union Foundation, along with partners, have pledged more than USD1 million in the fight against COVID-19.
