Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

[gsgs]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

so Panasonic invests ~$10000 in panflu-preparation per
foreign employee-family, while USA invests ~$40 per citizen
for panflu preparation.
(and $10000 for bailouts and economic stimulus)

and these $10000 are spent for relocation measures alone,
considering Japan safer then China.

So normal people in China, thinking as Panasonic, should be
ready to spend $10000 for the right to relocate to Japan in case
of a severe pandemic.
Assume the probability of that severe pandemic is just 10%,
that means once panflu broke out Chinese should spend $100000
for going to safer Japan. They could buy boats and try to
reach Japan, they could drop from airplanes with parachutes,
will Japan be able to prevent it ?


Singapore,Europe,USA are also considered safer by Panasonic.
It can't just be their vaccines,antiviral supplies since that could be
changed with relatively few money.
So what is it ?

Their quarantine abilities ?
Their (perceived) more stable political structure ?

is USA in a severe pandemic politically more stable than China ?

 

[SophiaZoe]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Sorry for the confusion gs, but, no Panasonic is not investing the $10,000 per worker.

My quoting that figure was by way of pointing out that when a trained and skilled worker needs to be replaced the cost of loss of productivity is estimated to average at that starting point: $10,000. Depending on the industry, the costs in loss of productivity can be very much higher.

My point was that by narrowing the exposure to that loss of productivity, in this case due to the severe illness and/or death of a wife or child, Panasonic was, in fact, being responsibly proactive in protecting that all important corporate "bottom line".

It's impossible to measure costs prevented, proactive benefits are not quantifiable the same way reactive costs are, but, it is reasonable to suppose positive accretion.

 

[gsgs]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

the $10000 does not refer to your post but are an estimate which I
got from other threads and chat and own calculation/estimates.

You are invited to give your estimate.

 

[gsgs]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

where is the supernova-guy from Tokyo ? Maulkorb ?

no new statement from Panasonic, still nothing on their webpage

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

[Interesting abstract in IMED(2009) program - EDITED.]

The Role of Multinational Corporations in Surveillance and Control of Infectious Diseases

C.E. Johnson1, R.V. Lee2. 1Exxon Mobil Corporation, Fairfax, VA, USA,
2State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA

Multinational corporations that do business in agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, and resource extraction construct and maintain facilities in virtually all of the environmental and ecologic regions of the globe.

Because such operations alter the ecology and environment at the sites of construction, operations, and transportation, there is high probability of transforming pathogen traffic among arthropods, terrestrial and marine wildlife, and human beings.

Before multinational development projects begin preliminary environmental impact assessments (EIAs) can identify needed surveillance for risks of emerging and established infections by identifying reservoir and vector species present in the development site and the surrounding region.

For recent EIAs in Africa by our companies special emphasis has been given to the following: 1) Rodents: reservoir species for Lassa and hantaviruses; 2) Bats: reservoir species for lyssa and Nipah viruses, and potential reservoirs for filoviruses, coronaviruses, and influenza viruses; 3) Primates: potential sources of Ebola virus; 4) Mosquitoes: vectors for dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever viruses, filaria, and malaria parasites; 5) Aquatic species: snail hosts for schistosomiasis.

Preparation for a bauxite mining project in West Africa included field identification of critical habitat locations for chimpanzees and other primates.

The evaluation was directed by concern for protection of endangered species and for the human population that would congregate about the mine and processing operations.

The assessment included potential for bat, porcine, and human pathogens to enter and circulate through bushmeat hunting and arthropod vectors.

For a South American pipeline and road project we recommended the retention of canopy bridges to allow canopy creatures to cross without having to come down to the ground.

The design avoided contact between canopy arthropods and yellow fever hosts and mosquitoes and humans on the ground in yellow fever endemic regions.

We believe that developing collaborative affiliations among multinational industries and the research, epidemiologic, and clinical branches of academic and government veterinary and human health services is an important and urgent need.

-
Full list of abstract and participants authors at:
http://imed.isid.org/Downloads/IMED2009_AbstrAuth.pdf
-----

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Japan?s Economy Plunges at Fastest Pace Since ?74

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94474

 

[tropical]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Japan?s Economy Plunges at Fastest Pace Since ?74

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94474

Ok, their's economy lends down.

But it seems that everybody's country economy lends down because of the bubble speculators worldwide damage.

If that behaviour is indeed economy driven only, than we must assume that their public assertions about the "reimpatriate" decision, Bank procedures, etc., are connected with their economic colapse, and that their past public assertions were "telling lies" to keep the corporates Market values above sinking.
An assertion which can't be easy proved.

So, the conclusion is that we must forget the question, and wait patiently the next October ...

It would be more wise to stil put an eye onto this preparations, instead of rely on standard public worldwide release infos which we know would be directed and at last minute (such conclusions came from the world guidelines procedure for raising the alert level, and the subsequent suggested creation of an exclusive central media point of the country pandemic media releases for the masses).

 

[SuperNova1987A]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

where is the supernova-guy from Tokyo ? Maulkorb ?

no new statement from Panasonic, still nothing on their webpage

Hi, gsgs. (What does Maulkorb mean?)

Thank you for your post #104.
Let me try to give you my answers to your questions.
I tried but failed to sound negative in some places. I apologize in advance.

I don?t think Panasonic did this for cost-cutting. (Please refer to my first post #76.)
But I have no information supporting my opinion. So cannot discuss further.
Also, I have no idea about the cost of repatriation plan.

Regarding #80
I don?t think Panasonic did try to hide this as a secret.
They would have thought this was, in the first place, their company?s internal labor issue about working condition of their overseas employees. Not a serious labor issue as layoffs or job-cutting in which case they had to make a public announcement. (Moreover, this was not about the employees themselves but their families.)
Again, I have no information supporting this. But, if I were in the same situation, I would think like the above.

Having said that, I think Panasonic misjudged repercussions of their decision.
Now, whether Panasonic likes it or not, this is no more their company?s ?internal? issue and their statements are far from sufficient for many people in the world. So, I would very much like them to share as much information as possible with the rest of the world, as you stated in #88. Otherwise, Panasonic would be the target of all the speculations and may be criticized for any outcome even if they didn?t intend.

I don?t think there?s any conspiracy or anybody orchestrating all the recent events related to the seasonal and/or pandemic flu in Japan. The situation in Japan, to the contrary, seems to me in disorder; the Japanese government?s always struggling and failing to make things go forward on time, Media is always making a mountain out of a molehill or turning a blind eye to something very important, and we, people, are moving here and there without really knowing where to go. Pretty much the same in everywhere, maybe.

Regarding #90
You?re right Panasonic should provide their stay-on employees with sufficient antiviral and sanitary equipment.
Please note, however, antiviral and sanitary equipment will not be enough in some countries, where the law and order is not well respected EVEN NOW, the medical and sanitary condition is very poor EVEN NOW, the lifeline and transportation is vulnerable and easily out of service EVEN NOW, riots and civil commotion occurred in the past, and, unfortunately, expats were actually targeted in a chaotic situation. Well, not all countries, but many countries in a way or another more or less.

Please let me know if any question you addressed to me hasn?t been answered.

________________________________________________________
SN1987A

PS: Please do not consider me as a secret agent from Panasonic or Japanese government. They will hate the idea more than I do.

 

[tropical]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans



about the new WHO guidelines:

...
The draft document defines phase 5 as featuring a virus that "has established human-to-human transmission in two or more non-contiguous countries in one geographical region."

Similarly, the new phase 6 definition uses a specific geographic criterion, this one signaling intercontinental spread. Whereas the existing guidance defines this phase only as "increased and sustained transmission among the general population," the draft defines it as featuring a virus that "has caused clusters of disease in at least two of the following geographical regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Americas, and Oceania."
...
However, "It is important to stress that the phases do not represent an epidemiological prediction," the document states.

It is possible, in other words, to have early specific threats that do not lead to a pandemic; it is also possible for the first outbreaks of a pandemic to occur in such a way as to skip some intermediate phases.

The guidance links the various phases to various responses by countries. However, it says the decision on when to start production of a pandemic vaccine will not be dictated by the phase: "The decision to recommend a switch to pandemic vaccine production will be made independently of phase changes.

The ability to act promptly in such situations will depend entirely on access to viruses shared through the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network (GISN), highlighting the paramount importance of international cooperation in this area."
...
The guidance lays out five components of preparedness and response to describe actions in each phase of a pandemic:
(1) planning and coordination, (2) situation monitoring and assessment, (3) communications, (4) reducing the spread of disease, and
(5) ensuring continuity of healthcare provision.
...
The vaccine section notes that the WHO currently makes no recommendations "either supporting or opposing the stockpiling of new influenza vaccines by a country for use either prior to a pandemic or during its early stages [prepandemic vaccines].
A well-matched pandemic vaccine will only be available after the pandemic influenza virus is identified."

 

[gsgs]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

thanks supernova.
You needn't answer all questions...this is ongoing disorganized discussion...
also on other boards. Today I got the idea that it could be related to
an isolating-the-sick-strategy. People in USA are very reluctant to
allow their sick family-members to be removed to special isolation
units.

If Panasonic didn't do this for cost-cutting then they consider this
preparation cost of ~$10000 as appropriate, compare this with
general governments' spendings on panflu-preparation !
And the Japanese government applauded, so will they take
similar measures ?
Are these relocation units being built, plans prepared ?
They won't like the public to know it, but it can't be kept secret.

I still think it's a first step in Panasonic's plan to close/reduce
their facilities in those countries.

Would you say this company-secrecy is normal ? Is it more
advanced in Japan, than USA,Europe ?


Can you give good Japanese keywords to search for news
and then autotranslate ?
Are there Japanese forums where this is being discussed ?


Of course, anyone can reply, all ideas appreciated

 

[gsgs]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

maybe the new Japanese government pandemic plan requires
some company measures which are particularly difficult to
meet for foreign Panasonic worker families in some countries ?

Still they would presumably choose the countries so it
fits well with company-strategy.

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Italy - as other EU member states - is experiencing a rapid deterioration of economy.

As other nations that in previous years opted for an ''immisering growth'' strategy (manufacturers interested only in luxury products with very low workers skill, or product with low adjunct value, no technology...), most of the biggest companies sold their activities, logos, patents etc to focus most on financial markets.

The results: foreign companies took control of the most important high technology firm (telecommunication, pc hardware, micro-chip R&D, chemicals and pharmaceuticals...).

With the incoming recession, foreign firms started to close factories all around the Paeninsula.

Cases of workers that at the beginning of the shift found factory sealed is a not uncommon story in leftist papers (the only ones that are interested in workers life... at least in Italy).

One big multinational corporation - owner of important brand names and high-tech products - decided to seal factory although the level of productivity per worker was very high compared to other factory in EU.

Productions was then relocated in eastern portion of Europe...

Workers remained without wages and with poor likelihood to found a new job (most people in more 40 of years of age).

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Thank you, Super Nova. I consider your insight very valuable.:applause:

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Thank you, Super Nova. I consider your insight very valuable.:applause:

I agree!

 

[SuperNova1987A]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

thanks supernova.
Would you say this company-secrecy is normal ? Is it more
advanced in Japan, than USA,Europe ?


Can you give good Japanese keywords to search for news
and then autotranslate ?
Are there Japanese forums where this is being discussed ?


Of course, anyone can reply, all ideas appreciated

About Panasonic's plan:
I don?t know about Panasonic?s plan more than reported in the news. Sorry.

About secrecy:
Generally speaking, Japanese companies are not good at public relations as compared to European and American companies. Panasonic, however, is very active in the field because they are a home electric company whose clients are general public of the world.

I think Panasonic?s silence at the beginning (last Dec) was because they considered this is an internal labor issue. Then, they informed the media about the plan and answered the questions. So, they may think it?s over.

But actually, some people cannot take what was said at face value. Some people have more questions to ask. And, I am sure the media will follow up the issue because the ?Panasonic shock? affects more outside people than Panasonic would imagine. Newspapers and magazines will feature the issue and ask them more questions. They will receive a barrage of questions from participants of seminars, etc.

About keywords and translation:
新型インフルエンザ (pandemic influenza), 鳥インフルエンザ (bird flu),　パンデミック (pandemic), ウイルス (virus), ワクチン (vaccine),プレパンデミック・ワクチン (prepandemic vaccine), タミフル (tamiflu), 行動計画 (plan), ガイドライン (guideline), マスク (mask), 備蓄 (stockpile), パナソニック (Panasonic)
Is this what you wanted? Aren't these Japanese characters garbled on your computer?
I don't know about autotranslators but sometimes I find English translation of Japanese and Chinese is just terrible.

About Japanese opinions:
There are totally opposite opinions in Japan.
Some praise Panasonic for their foresight and courage.
Some blame them for their misunderstanding and overreaction.
They are somehow based on speculations or private likings because of a lack of information.

PS: Could you give me an example of European or American company inviting the public for discussion on their Pandemic plan or providing details of the plan?

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿
SN1987A

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Thank you Supernova!

 

[cartski]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Supernova's insight and point of view is exactly what we need in this debate. Many, many thanks!

"PS: Could you give me an example of European or American company inviting the public for discussion on their Pandemic plan or providing details of the plan?"

Conducting "table top" exercises by associatons or interested entities is one way in which Euro or US companies gain stakeholder input about their plans.

The UK may have led the way in 2006 on evaluating, through discussion from financial organizations, pandemic plans in this manner:

http://www.fsc.gov.uk/section.asp?catid=468&docid=1600

http://www.continuitycentral.com/pandemicplanningUK.htm

I'm sure that the more knowledgeable members of FT can provide better examples.

J.

 

[gsgs]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

pandemic
パンデミック

Panasonic
パナソニック

hmm, first 2 and last 2 symbols are the same ?!


link to babelfish translating google news for these 2 keywords:

http://de.babelfish.yahoo.com/trans...tnG=%8C%9F%8D%F5&lp=ja_en&btnTrUrl=Übersetzen



more later (my connection was bad the last days)





New model in full correspondence conference Ministry of Foreign Affairs and resident in Chinese official buildings
MSN product sutra news - 2009 February 12th
In China approximately 128,000 person (as of 2007) the Japanese has lived with just permanent residence and long-term stay, at the measure meeting Japanese protection of the time of new model influenza and cooperation etc between each official buildings were discussed. Panasonic this month, resides in China and Africa etc centering on the new model influenza…
Check list of [pandemitsuku] measure circumstance
INSIGHT NOW! - 2009 February 12th
In order for the Panasonic corporation to return home the family of the overseas resident representative, what it announces that you indicated, was February 9th. Also [pandemitsuku] measure seminar is held large number, but it is not from viewpoint of medical care, devising of the measure from viewpoint of the business continuation in small and medium-sized business, it draws up. …
It collected materials the Swiss of [purepandemitsukuwakuchin] of the new model influenza measure.
FNN - 2009 February 10th
Worldwide craze ([pandemitsuku]) the vaccination which it has is called “[purepandemitsukuwakuchin]”, it is assumed that in enlargement infection prevention it is most effective at present time. The vaccine of the influenza originally is made from the virus which emerges. As for this [purepandemitsukuwakuchin], new model…
The crisis which 4th section approaches<2> New model influenza (in)
Tokushima newspaper - 2009 February 10th
As for the forest residence filial piety justice room monitor of the prefectural infection symptom disease measure room “[pandemitsuku] (craze) not only the core hospital of area, all medical institutions inside the prefecture listing aggregate power the time, it is necessary to correspond”, that, it is the policy of urging installation to each medical institution inside the prefecture. In addition in regard to influenza remedy [tamihuru], as for the prefecture on the basis of the guide of the country 68,000…
Prevent the secondary infection new model influenza measure training
Ryukyu new information - 2009 February 10th
<The [ma] which can>The prefectural Chubu hospital and the Chubu area MC (medical control which is made with the emergency soldiers) conference, the Chubu welfare hygienic place on the 7th, at the same hospital mutated from the high pathogenic bird influenza virus and to executed simulated training which corresponds to the patient of the new model influenza which “from the person is infected the person”. …
New model influenza measure, in family return home indication Panasonic
J-CAST news - 2009 February 9th
As for Panasonic that the band same family of the Japanese employee who assumes a new post to the foreign country as the prevention measure which is prepared for the new model influenza, is returned home to 2009 September February 9th of 09 it was found that you have indicated. Object area includes Asia which excludes Singapore (China), Middle and Near East and Africa, CIS (also independent nation the same body),…
The new model influenza, early to the infection symptom correspondence proposing measure with - infection symptom seminar
Travel vision - 2009 February 9th
As for the news that this year while the influenza is prevalent, the tolerance virus of [tamihuru] occurred, in memory the new place. It will evolve the virus practically, the person who feels the threat to the new model influenza where future occurrence is estimated it probably will be many. Being remembered in this circumstance, new model… 2003
New model influenza: Small school “of heat generation imported” effective verification citizens installation training −− Yamaguchi/Yamaguchi
Everyday newspaper - 2009 February 9th
Supposed the occurrence of the new model influenza installation training of “heat generation coming from abroad” on the 7th, to be the Yuda small school of Yamaguchi city, the citizens approximately 300 people participated. As for the prefecture the time of new model in full, the patient rushes in to the medical institution and in order to ease the fact that is confused, whether or not in the place other than the hospital, hospitalization necessity installation the heat generation coming from abroad which is diagnosed…
New model influenza measure, prefecture first training
Fukushima broadcast - 2009 February 9th
With the new model influenza measure where craze feels concern, the prefecture on the 9th, executed correspondence training inside agency for the first time and verified the correspondence and smooth information joint ownership system etc between the respective departments when occurring. As for training, the new model influenza to occur in the foreign country, after the verifying infection 1 of men to decide the domestic first patient even inside the prefecture, furthermore enlargement…
New model influenza: With occurrence having and prefectural government first training/Fukushima
Everyday newspaper - 2009 February 9th
The prefecture on the 9th, executed new training which is prepared for new model influenza occurrence with the prefectural government. The prefecture has supposed the deceased largest approximately 10,000, the policy of deciding the concrete manual even in the year opening on the basis of training. As for training, that the man office worker of Fukushima city which returns home from the foreign country (40) you were infected to the new model influenza…

 

[SuperNova1987A]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Supernova's insight and point of view is exactly what we need in this debate. Many, many thanks!

"PS: Could you give me an example of European or American company inviting the public for discussion on their Pandemic plan or providing details of the plan?"

Conducting "table top" exercises by associatons or interested entities is one way in which Euro or US companies gain stakeholder input about their plans.

The UK may have led the way in 2006 on evaluating, through discussion from financial organizations, pandemic plans in this manner:

http://www.fsc.gov.uk/section.asp?catid=468&docid=1600

http://www.continuitycentral.com/pandemicplanningUK.htm

I'm sure that the more knowledgeable members of FT can provide better examples.

J.

Thank you very much for your comment and information.

"Market-Wide Excercise 2006" is very interesting.
In Japan, we need to pay more than $10,000 to have a security consulting firm's simulation program for major corporate risks, i.e. natural disasters, war, kidnapping, etc. Our company tried a kidnapping simulation several years ago, but due to the nature of the risk, it was in an absolute secrecy from the beginning to the end. Doing an influenza pandemic exercise on a market-wide basis with 60 participants will be very different, meaningful and exciting. Exchanging different views and finding conflicts of interest between various organizations...

___________________
SN1987A

 

[SuperNova1987A]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

pandemic
パンデミック

Panasonic
パナソニック

hmm, first 2 and last 2 symbols are the same ?!

Pandemic=Pan+demos, means "of all the people"
Panasonic=Pan+sonic, means "of all sound".

Panasonic was originally a brand name of audio products of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.
Matsushita is the family name of the company's founding father, Konosuke Matsushita.
The company changed its name form Matsushita to Panasonic only last October.

PS:
The Japanese government has just posted the public comments gathered last year-end, regarding the revised Pandemic plan and guidelines. Government's answers to the comments are also attached.

http://www.cas.go.jp/jp/influenza/kekka/090117kekka.html

________________
SN1987A