International Executive Security Monitor

In the case of the Mumbai attacks or similar events, the emergency international security plan should be put into action

A corporation has kidnap and ransom insurance and takes other necessary steps to protect its executives and expatriates internationally.  How should this be reflected in the expatriate policy manual if at all?  First, does the company even have an expatriate policy manual or is it complete and comprehensive?  If not, the company is unnecessarily carrying a large amount of liability and potential headache that could easily be removed through the written documentation of proper policy and procedures for international employees.  

Please note, good kidnap and ransom insurance policies, especially those backed by Lloyd’s of London, PROHIBIT the actual insured from even knowing about the existence of the K&R program.  If it’s proven they know, it can immediately void the policy.  

Here is the language we suggest for employers that hire expatriates:  

As an individual working on foreign assignment away from your home country, the security of you and your family is important to ABC Organization.  For reasons directly related to the security of you and your family we cannot describe in any detail the exact security programs we have in place.  This is a requirement to  protect you.  However, it’s important you and your family know exactly what to do in an emergency.  Rest assured we have very good programs in place now to protect our employees working and traveling internationally. In the event of a security threat or emergency, you or your family should immediately call the following number +01 xxx-xxx-xxxx. 

This next section should describe who the expatriate or family member is actually calling using the number above, whether it be a vendor company like ASI, a security consultant like Ackerman, a medical evacuation and assistance company with a security arm like Internationals SOS, or even a company in house security employee available 24/7/365.

This next section should describe what to tell the person you are calling to identify yourself.  For example (when making the call, you simply have to identify yourself as an ABC expatriate employee working in ABC country.  You won’t have to give any other information). 

What is a security emergency where you should place a call immediately?  

1. A kidnapping or abduction
2. Any written or verbal threat against you, your family, any co-worker or any ABC assets in the host country
3. Any suspicious behavior.  If a family member thinks they are being followed or watched, call the number just to be safe.
4. Any theft of personal or company property after  FIRST calling the local police.
5. Local rioting or civil commotion
6. Any other major security incident depending on the host country which could include coup de etat or regional conflict.

Please note, for a legal emergency the number to call (is the same or different).  For example, if you or a family member are placed under arrest please call the International Law Firm of ABC not the security hot-line above.  

Depending on the county, the emergency security plan should be referenced in this section but certainly not described in the expatriate policy handbook.  For example:  

If a security emergency is in progress in your host country and you feel there are very serious threats refer to the emergency security plan given to you before the international assignment.  Call the security number as soon as you are able but implement the emergency security plan immediately if you feel you need to leave the country.

Please remember, in the event of a security emergency you have permission to act to keep your family safe and these expenses will be fully paid by the company and you and your family will be reimbursed for all out-of-pocket expenses.  Do not wait for permission to act.  Once you get your family to safety, please call XYZ to discuss additional expenditures and arrangements.

Of course, the need for an emergency security  plan for expatriates is dictated by the threats of the host country.  If a company has 10 expatriates in Paris and London with no emergency security plan, perhaps it’s not the end of the world.  A company that has 10 expatriates in Mumbai with no emergency security plan, or expatriates in Indonesia, Egypt, Israel, etc is risking massive liability and may be violating foreign duty of care laws.