MRSI Launches Freelance Interviewer Relief Fund

The Market Research Society of India (MRSI) has set up a relief fund, which it says has already helped 3,600 freelance interviewers faced with economic hardship as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Established in 1988, MRSI is a not-for-profit autonomous body, committed to promoting market research in India. Face-to-face interviewing came to a complete halt in the country in March. The new MRSI Freelance Interviewers' Relief Fund has been established through a partnership with housing charity Habitat for Humanity, and more than 200 individuals and businesses have already contributed more than Rs. 75 lakhs (c.£76,500) to the initiative.

Those looking for support from the fund must have had a sustained relationship with any of the MRSI member agencies, and market research must be their primary source of income.

MRSI Treasurer Vinay Kumar (pictured) explains: 'The goal of setting up the relief fund was to help the freelance interviewers nominated by MRSI member agencies, as the current pandemic has impacted them harshly having no resources to meet their basic needs. There was a groundswell response to our call for support, and this was deployed as cash transfers to the bank accounts of the interviewers selected by MRSI member agencies'.

Web site: www.mrsi.co.in .