Vodafone asks employees to use its M-Pesa service

Mobile phone companies have taken a string of measures to help staffers facing a hard time withdrawing cash from ATMs and banks following the demonetisation of `500 and `1000 notes.

Over the past 48-hours, they have sought faster cash replenishments at ATMs inside office premises and encouraged employ ees to use their digi tal mobile wallets to pay at office cafeteria. Telcos, however, have refrained from giving any cash advances or short-term loans yet to employees due to shortage of cash in lower denomination notes.

Vodafone India, the second largest mobile carrier, asked employees across the country to liberally use the company’s M-Pesa mobile money services to pay for cafeteria usage while at work.

Market leader Bharti Airtel said employees already have the option to use either cash or the company’s Airtel Money to pay for office food bills.

Top telcos have also alerted banks that have installed ATMs at their offices to replenish cashwith lower wait times.