Key features
- 19% increase in total number of people employed
- Good progress with women in mining and employment equity
Provisions for human rights and the elimination of discrimination are entrenched in the Constitution of South Africa, and in legislation (Labour Relations Act, Employment Equity Act) and Implats’ own policies, contracts and agreements with unions.
Implats recognises:
- the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining;
- the prevention of child labour;
- the prevention of forced or compulsory labour and
- the equality of all individuals, irrespective of race, sex and physical ability.
Collective bargaining and union activity is a vibrant part of the company’s operating activities and is reported on in the Human capital section of this report. It is of concern to the company that, although freedom of association is enshrined within the constitution of Zimbabwe, strikes are not permitted.
Implats expects its contractors to act in the same manner in which the company and its employees behave, including the respect for human rights. All major contracts and contractors are vetted for potential and historical human rights abuse. While contractor agreements do not specifically contain human rights clauses, contractors are expected to adhere to the South African constitution and law.
A number of incidents of racial discrimination and sexual harassment were reported at the operations during the year. All incidents were investigated, the necessary hearings were held and outcomes dealt with appropriately.