Our People
We are aware of the importance of our operations on our people’s lives and we are committed to making a positive impact on these individuals.
Overview
We recognise that a motivated, dedicated and skilled workforce is key to our Company’s success.
The CAML team works hard to promote our Company culture, provide a safe, positive, stimulating and productive workplace where the development of employees is encouraged, all people are treated fairly and human rights are upheld. We ensure the cultural values and customs of our employees and local stakeholders are respected and equal opportunities are supported.
Training is integral to the ongoing development of our employees. We have a Human Rights policy in place which promotes equality, fairness and ethical practices. This is reinforced by the Company’s Code of Conduct.
The provision of employment opportunities within local communities is one of the primary ways the Company can show a demonstrable benefit to stakeholders and therefore CAML prioritises local hiring. This is particularly pertinent in North Macedonia, where youth unemployment and emigration is high, and therefore the provision of both employment and also training is a vital contributor to economic and social environment.
Employees and contractors in 2019
Local hire and employee retention
Sasa is the largest employer in the East Region of North Macedonia. 698 people are employed at the mine, of which 90% are from the local municipality of Makedonska Kamenica, 9% of employees are national, with 1% expatriates in the workforce. Kounrad has 323 employees and 86 contractors. The operation is close to Kounrad village and approximately 15 kilometres from the town of Balkhash. 6% of employees come from Kounrad, 89% from Balkhash and the remaining 5% are national.
Both operations, as well as our head office, display low staff turnover rates, which we believe demonstrates a high level of employee satisfaction.
Employees from countries of operation
Training
Skills development is vital to ensuring consistently high operating standards at Sasa and Kounrad. Wherever competencies are identified as lacking, development plans are put in place and annual training programmes provided. In addition to the significant number of health and safety training courses carried out in 2019, CAML held a total of 297 professional development, vocational training, retraining and advanced training courses at both sites.
Employee engagement and satisfaction
The Group places emphasis on engaging with its employees and has in place a number of avenues through which communication is facilitated and workforce satisfaction is gauged. Both sites place importance on facilitating internal communications and have formal complaint and grievance mechanisms for internal and external use. Sasa and Kounrad issue site newsletters with specific Company related information and updates.
Both operations have an open-door policy, meaning that employees can communicate freely with direct supervisors and senior management. Human Resources teams at both sites are also available for employees to discuss issues. Information on Company goals and targets, results achieved, and new rules and procedures implemented are communicated via bulletin boards and recently upgraded screens, placed strategically around site. Both sites have suggestion boxes and comments are reviewed on a regular basis and, where appropriate, implemented.
Diversity and inclusion
We recognise the importance of diversity, specifically when considering the breadth of thought, approach and opinion that can be fostered by a diverse group. We are working hard to bring gender diversity to our teams in particular. We share the International Labor Organization (‘ILO’) standards for decent and productive work for women and men in an environment of equal opportunity, the provision of social guarantees and respect for human dignity. We have a policy of evaluating all existing and future employees according to their skills and abilities and workplace discrimination on attributes such as age, race, gender identity, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, religion, political opinion, or pregnancy is strictly prohibited by our Code of Conduct.
