Coca-Cola announces 7-8% increments for staff in India amid COVID-19 crisis

Beverage maker Coca-Cola’s company-owned bottling partner HCCB (Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages) has announced 7-8% increment in salaries to its 7,000 direct employees with effect from April 1. The company has further informed that there would be no lay-offs, salary deduction and job losses on account of the disruptions due to business across sectors, following the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. 

HCCB has 15 factories in India and makes Coke, Sprite and Thums Up, Minute Maid and Maaza have followed the same compensation norm as in 2019. Last month, Coca-Cola had temporarily suspended production at its company-owned and franchise-operated bottling plants with the exception of essentials such as water. However, production at over half the plants has restarted. With a retail reach across 3 million outlets, HCCB reported revenues of Rs 9,455 crore and profit of Rs 322 crore for financial year 2018-19.