Human rights
Sustainability website / Governance, Ethics and Engagement / Human rights
Xstrata supports the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organisation Conventions. We respect the legislation in each country in which we operate. Xstrata is a signatory to the UN Global Compact and we have aligned our strategy and operational performance with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. The UN Global Compact indicated that Xstrata’s 2007 communication on progress against its commitments was of outstanding quality. A navigator mapping Xstrata’s sustainability reporting against the UN Global Compact commitments is provided on pages 100 to 102.
The primary human rights in our business relate to the rights of our employees and contractors to work for equal pay, associate freely, to a safe and healthy workplace, to non-discrimination and to legal rights. Other risks relate to the rights of communities associated with our operations and projects to be treated with dignity in a manner that respects cultural heritage, traditions and norms.
Our Sustainable Development Standards require community relations strategies to be developed that uphold and promote human rights and respect cultural considerations and heritage, in particular with regard to the use of security providers and personnel in high-risk areas. In areas where Xstrata employs security personnel (either directly or as contractors) to protect our people and assets, we ensure that appropriate human rights training has taken place and monitor compliance in line with Xstrata’s Business Principles and management standards for suppliers, contractor and partners.
The revised Sustainable Development Framework requires that, where appropriate, our operations and projects conduct human rights baseline studies and risk assessments that include security providers and security activities. In 2007, 9,930 employees and contractors participated in human rights training across the Group, together with 66 community members at Xstrata’s South American operations. The non-managed Cerrejón coal operation in Colombia has provided human rights training programmes since 2003. During 2007, 3,373 employees, contractors, armed forces (including the police and army) and community members participated in Cerrejón’s training, considered to be one of the leading human rights programmes in central and South America. A further 4,385 key stakeholders are expected to participate in 2008.
Xstrata Coal has developed a comprehensive human rights guidance document for all operations. Human rights training commenced in November 2007 in South Africa and is being conducted at all Xstrata Coal divisions in line with the guidance document. Training is targeted to be completed by the end of 2008.
Xstrata Copper assumed management control at the Tampakan copper-gold project in the Philippines at the end of March 2007. On assuming control, all employees, contractors and service providers received training and familiarisation workshops on Xstrata’s Business Principles, including our approach to human rights. In July 2007, the project revised its induction programme for new employees to include a human rights component. All employees and contractors now receive one-on-one briefings and induction packs including fact sheets and other relevant materials on human rights.
Following an extensive tender process in 2007, the Tampakan project engaged a new security guard service provider, Catena Security Incorporated. In 2008, all security personnel employed to protect our people and assets will receive appropriate training in human rights and systematic monitoring will be introduced of all suppliers, contractors and partners against Xstrata’s human rights standards and expectations.
Early on 1 January 2008, Tampakan’s Base Camp was ransacked and a number of buildings set on fire by a group of approximately 60 armed men. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) later issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack as part of their ongoing campaign targeted at foreign owned mining companies operating in the Philippines. Since Xstrata assumed management of Sagittarius Mines Inc, no direct or indirect payments have been made to or requested by the New People Army, the military arm of the CPP, in line with Xstrata’s policy on bribery and corruption.
Following the attack on Tampakan and at the request of the host communities, a long-term solution to security in the area has been established, involving the training and establishment of a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU). The CAFGU typically comprises of local community personnel recruited, trained and supervised by full time Philippine military personnel to become a community-based military security presence that acts as a sustainable deterrent. In addition, a community watch system will also be organised. This fulfils a community liaison role, provides intelligence gathering and is trained and supervised by either the police or the Provincial Governor.
There were no breaches of human rights reported at any Xstrata operation or project during the year and no incidences of violations involving rights of indigenous people.
Child and forced labour
Xstrata’s Statement of Business Principles uphold the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour and prohibit any form of child labour. None of Xstrata’s managed operations have been assessed as having significant risks for incidents of forced, tied or compulsory labour. Risk assessments indicate that Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Tanzania may represent higher risk regions for child labour. In these regions the minimum age for employment is 18, regardless of local legislation. All operations report the age of the youngest employee and the minimum working age permitted in the relevant jurisdiction.