Reporting back to companies

Few also update their companies if changes crop up en route. Most said they depend on their own vigilance to ensure safety.

Regional sales manager Ng Tiong Ling, 42, has travelled to places like Cambodia, Mongolia and even Afghanistan for work.

He has witnessed demonstrations, got caught in fights and even heard gunshots on these trips.

'There were no security measures taken; we just packed and went. That's the mindset of regular travellers,' said Mr Ng, who now works for a French company dealing with household appliances. 'Looking back now, the situations were rather dangerous.'

Recent events have led him to a rethink and made him feel that companies should do more to ensure the safety of their staff.

Mr Tony Ridley, security risk director of Travel Security Services, a joint venture of International SOS and Control Risks, said many companies are well developed in building and financial security, but under-developed in people-risk management.

In Singapore, International SOS works with about 400 firms, providing medical and emergency services to their staff worldwide. Last year, it conducted 16,000 aircraft evacuations to get people out of political-unrest and medical situations.

In the recent Mumbai attacks, the company handled 1,100 incoming calls, including 12 from Singaporeans, seeking advice and help. Besides providing information, it also sent medical aid and provided repatriation services.

The chance of an employee being caught in a terrorist attack, however, is less likely than if he were to face problems like flight delays and petty crimes, said Mr Danny Chan, director of global risk assessment at iJet, a United States-based private intelligence agency.

Loss of laptops and medical emergencies are the most common situations that business travellers face, he added.

Early this year, however, iJet had to manage a case where an American employee on a work trip in Myanmar was kidnapped. It quickly informed the next of kin and worked with the authorities on negotiating with the kidnappers.

A ransom was eventually paid and the employee was repatriated.

Country manager Teng Jen Tin, 41, who used to work in a multinational corporation, knows the importance of having good security coverage.

In 2003, when terrorists bombed the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, his three colleagues on business there were evacuated immediately. Now, in a smaller American firm, he feels he has to 'find his own escape route' should an emergency happen.

When the Bangkok airport shut down two weeks ago while he was there on business, he was on his own. His company did not make alternative arrangements to get him back.

Though travel advisories are sent, he feels firms should stop staff from travelling to dangerous spots rather than leave the decision to the individual.

'What if I make a wrong decision?' said Mr Teng. 'Those working in large firms will appreciate the security; it's better to be prepared than panic when something happens.'

iJet's Mr Chan agreed.

'When a company sends an employee out for work, it has the responsibility and duty of care to manage that travel,' he said.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on December 07, 2008.