– Oyu Tolgoi created 1,400 new jobs in 2012 –
We interviewed E.Tselmeg, superintendent of recruitment at Oyu Tolgoi.
Oyu Tolgoi was selected as one of the TOP-150 Corporate Entities of Mongolia – and the creator of the highest number of new jobs, for 2012. How many new jobs did Oyu Tolgoi create last year?
Oyu Tolgoi took 6th place in the TOP-150 Corporate Entities – 2012, co-organised by the Mongolian Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Mongolia. We were the leader in the number of new jobs created, ranked second for taxes paid and 11th for corporate social responsibility. Oyu Tolgoi created 1,400 new jobs in 2012. This is the number of Mongolians who were provided with good employment and job opportunities, and furthermore, gained confidence in their future and earning potential. By the way, Oyu Tolgoi also created over 1,000 new jobs in 2011.
What is the percentage of Mongolian nationals in the total workforce of Oyu Tolgoi? Tell us about their salaries and provisions?
Today, approximately 90 per cent of total employees at Oyu Tolgoi are Mongolian nationals. We offer salary rates for our employees that are very competitive in the Mongolian labour market. Our team is grateful and proud, that what we do at Oyu Tolgoi is contributing to every family. It can be assumed that each of these employees have 3-4 household members, so the living standard of all these people is improving. If we also counted the number of employees of contractors and suppliers, and their household members, the figure would be huge.
What is the job satisfaction level of Oyu Tolgoi employees?
By keeping salary rates at a competitive level, Oyu Tolgoi attracts and retains the best employees. Quitting and voluntarily changing jobs is very rare among our employees, I think this demonstrates the satisfaction level of our employees. Our Mongolian employees use world-class equipment and technology, they work side by side with international specialists, therefore, they are satisfied. They are very proud to take part in the development of a large, world-class project.
What is being done to train and develop your employees? How do you support the individual growth of Oyu Tolgoi employees?
Oyu Tolgoi employees are constantly learning on-the-job, from highly qualified international specialists. In addition to this, Oyu Tolgoi is focused on training, development and the advancement of professional skills of employees. Many of our employees visit the USA, England, South Africa to gain first hand experience from other large, Rio Tinto world-class mines. We support initiatives from the employees, to learn and grow professionally, by providing short and long-term training for employees.
How does the company care for the social issues of employees?
We really focus on this issue. Every year, all our employees are enrolled in medical check-ups and enjoy maternity leave, longer than outlined in the relevant laws of Mongolia. In addition to this, we provide free psychological consultations for our employees, to help them solve any challenges and obstacles they face.
The Mongolian public perceives that foreigners are bosses and Mongolians do the physical work. Are Mongolians working in senior management positions?
About 90 per cent of all the workforce of Oyu Tolgoi are Mongolian nationals. There are many Mongolians in senior positions ranging from Vice President to senior leaders. About 30 Mongolian nationals are employed at the level of department manager, and 200 are employed at medium level managerial positions. There are rapidly advancing career paths happening at Oyu Tolgoi, for Mongolians to take on leadership roles. Let me give you one example. There is a very important team at Oyu Tolgoi who do all the business analysis, to help the business run. A year ago, this department was led by an experienced expat – today a Mongolian woman leads the team. There are many more opportunities and advancements for Mongolians arising in the company; as the expat specialists, who were here for the short term, start returning to their home countries.
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