Western Union Announces 50% Fee Reduction For Essential Workers Sending Money

COVID19 pandemic front-line responders and essential workers sending money globally using Western Union's digital channels have been offered 50 percent fee reduction for the next two weeks.

Western Union, a leader in cross-border, cross-currency money mover said the promotion ‘is a tribute by the company to these customers for their endless commitment to their local communities.’

Western Union President and CEO Hikmet Ersek said many of the world’s frontline or essential workers are global citizens who trust us with their hard-earned money and regularly send it to their loved ones.

“We want to acknowledge their dedication to keeping remittances moving to the communities and economies around the world that depend on them the most and support them as they continue promoting the health and safety of the communities around them.” Ersek is quoted in a press statement.

 More than 65 percent of global citizens working and living across the world occupy roles as first responders or in essential service industries, according to Western Union’s business intelligence.

These global citizens indexed high in such roles across major countries: 63 percent in the U.S.; 67 percent in the U.K; 68 percent in France; 70 percent in Germany; 62 percent in Australia; 58 percent in the UAE and 71 percent in Saudi Arabia.

In Uganda, Jason Nass, Regional Director, East Africa Western Union said remittances play an extremely important part of the economy. For the community here, remittances are often a lifeline, Nass said.

“The reduction in fees for frontline and essential workers around the world should help receivers locally in Uganda as they face the current pandemic,” he added.

The fee reduction, valid with transfer code THANKS2020, applies to any transaction initiated in the majority of Western Union’s digital-enabled countries at westernunion.com or via the Western Union app and received anywhere Western Union’s Global Network reaches: via bank account or wallet payout in more than 100 countries, as well as retail Agent locations in 200 countries and territories.

The fee reduction will run from now until May 20, 2020, and is available to first responders representing medical, police, and fire department professionals as well as essential workers across food, transport, utility, and other essential industries, including manufacturing and construction.