Safety first: FMCG companies' Nepal operations hit by unrest

MUMBAI: Violent protests in Nepal have disrupted operations of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies on the ground. For Dabur, regular shifts at their manufacturing unit in Birgunj have been impacted, sources said, amid escalation in protests which spilled on to several parts of the county with some companies suspending factory operations.

Unilever Nepal which has one manufacturing unit in Hetauda has halted its factory operations temporarily. "We are closely monitoring the situation and have temporarily paused operations in Nepal. Our employees have been asked to work from home. The safety and well-being of our teams remain our top priority, and we are taking all the necessary precautions," a company spokesperson told TOI.

The protests led by young Gen Zs will also have a bearing on company sales as normal life gets thrown out of gear. Dabur has also asked it's employees based in the country to work from home. "We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in Nepal. The safety and well-being of our employees, partners, and communities remain our highest priority.

"We have asked all employees in Kathmandu to operate from home and the sales teams have also been advised to prioritise safety and adhere to local curfew directives," the company said, adding that it is coordinating with local authorities and internal teams to ensure business continuity.

Several FMCG companies including Marico, Reliance Consumer Products (RCPL) and PepsiCo's bottler Varun Beverages operate in Nepal. RCPL, industry sources said, has stepped up security measures around its plant near Biratnagar.

“Our foremost priority is the safety and well-being of our local partners, distributors, and extended sales teams. We have advised them to stay safe till the situation improves,” said a spokesperson at Marico.