Interview: P.Mart “Oyu Tolgoi solves employees’ social issues”

We interviewed P.Marta, Human Resources Supervisor at Oyu Tolgoi.

Tell us about the social services and policies you have to support employees at Oyu Tolgoi?
Our company provides many social services, including study scholarships, grants, pregnancy and maternity leave payments and other investments in the health of our employees. Oyu Tolgoi extended pregnancy and maternity leave from 120 days to 180 days, and offers the opportunity for mothers to receive their base salary for 6 months. During the first 120 days of maternity leave, allowances given by the social insurance fund are increased up to the level of their base salary. Allowances for the last 60 days are estimated by the company at base salary level, and given to the employee each month. Also fathers of newborn babies and employees who have adopted babies are given paid leave.

It is reported that your company is implementing the largest national vocational educational programme, in the history of Mongolia. How do you invest in the education and development of your employees?
The vocational educational programme, implemented in partnership with the Government of Mongolia and the Ministry of Education, is contributing to the development and training of a qualified workforce for Mongolia. We are investing US$126 million dollars in this vocational educational programme.

Oyu Tolgoi is implementing the 'Employee Initiated Education Assistance Programme' with an aim to supporting and providing financial funding for employees who want to further their education, knowledge and skills. Under this programme, employees have the opportunity to take part in short and long-term training to help them to improve their skill and knowledge level. Short-term training includes professional re-training or advancement training, professional certificate training and training courses from universities and colleges. Employees can also do long-term training to attain bachelor, masters and PhD degrees.

Our employees have the opportunity to go to the USA, England and South Africa to learn and gain experience at other Rio Tinto world class mines. In addition to this, the Graduate Programme of Rio Tinto offers our graduates the opportunity to learn and work in other Rio Tinto mines to gain experience and knowledge. Our training department is implementing many programmes aimed to improve the technical, professional and leadership skills of employees. In short, Oyu Tolgoi provides all-round support for the educational advancement of employees.

What’s being done to protect the health of the employees?
Health is an important and irreplaceable value. Oyu Tolgoi provides regular health check-ups for employees. We have constructed and commissioned a Cultural and Sports Center at the Oyu Tolgoi site to encourage our employees to spend their free time playing sport and exercising. The cultural and sports center has four basketball and handball courts; special gyms for gymnastics, fitness, bodybuilding, aerobics and outside courts for winter and summer sports. We also have a sports club in Ulaanbaatar, providing our employees with the opportunity to take up basketball, football and bowling in their free time. The club organises sporting events for employees, with company funding.

How the company is helping employees solve their social issues? Do employees perform better when their social issues are solved?
Oyu Tolgoi is implementing an accredited programme called 'Satisfied Life', supporting employees dealing with social issues. If an employee faces obstacles related to family, work or personal life, and they looking for support, solutions and advice, they can participate in this programme and received psychological help from professionals.

Supporting employees when they are buying a house is very important. Our company has agreements with the Golomt, Khan and Trade and Development banks, to enroll our employees in housing loan schemes with low interest rates. The loan conditions are quiet good and offer discounts for advance payment and banking service fees.

Are there additional bonuses and incentives for employees other than salary? Mining is very different to other sectors?
We provide our employees with bonuses for working at the mine site. These include extra pay for working in hard conditions, night shift work, taking on extra duties and for professional degrees. We provide our employees at site with meals, transportation and overtime. Oyu Tolgoi pays close attention to the social issues of employees.

B.Mandakh, an employee of Oyu Tolgoi: Our company helps and supports employees to solve their social issues. I took six months paid maternity leave. I’m very happy that our company offered me the opportunity to look after my baby at home, while at the same time, paying me my full salary.
G.Mandakh-Orgil, an employee of Oyu Tolgoi: I enrolled for training in my professional field. The training expenses and relevant textbooks were were fully covered by the company. All employees who want to learn and improve their education can enjoy this opportunity. Our company pays a lot of attention to learning, development and the safety of our employees.	Ts.Munkhchuluun, an employee of Oyu Tolgoi: I was enrolled in the housing loan programme, like many young people working at Oyu Tolgoi. Comfortable housing is a primary need. People themselves create the opportunity beyond the housing. I will use that opportunity for things that will benefit many people. I needed a place to live, I’m happy that this need is met.