Social programs
Modernization and complex reconstruction of the enterprises – parts of the MMC Norilsk Nickel are vital and objective. The inevitable release and rotation of the personnel in such situations would be implemented in parallel with a number of social programmes at a company's account. The Mainland Resettlement Programme
The “Six Pensions” Programme Lifelong Professional Pension Programme Loans for the purchase of housing The Maternal Rights Programme Rest and Recreation for the Workforce Norilsk Nickel has its own resorts – the Zapoliare sanatorium in Sochi, with 1,420 places, and the Ozero Beloe (“White Lake”) sanatorium in the Moscow region, with 560 places. In addition to these, there are are also the Valek health and recreation centre in Norilsk itself (with 360 places) and the Enisey centre in Dudinka (100 places). These facilities are very effective in maintaining the health and well being of the workforce, and make the best use of the financial resources set aside by the company for this purpose. Each year, more than 30 per cent of the company’s workforce take advantage of the subsidised places available at these centres, and almost 2,000 workers’ children make use of places provided at children’s’ resorts. The workers themselves pay between 20 and 30 per cent of the overall cost of the places provided, with the remainder being made up from social security contributions and by Norilsk Nickel itself. The Physical Exercise and Sport Development Programme and the provision of leisure facilities for the workforce The company has 107 sports facilities in all, providing a wide range of activities in accordance with the demands of the workforce. In addition to this there are the traditional tournaments organised for workers, management and veterans, and teams from the company’s various workplaces travel far and wide to take part in competitions, both in Russia and abroad. Among other things, Norilsk Nickel foots the bill for the sports equipment required, meets the running costs of its sports centres and organises competitions for its staff. In all, around a quarter of the company’s workforce take advantage of the sports and physical exercise activities offered. |
In 1997 Norilsk Nickel set in motion a programme for the resettlement of its workers and pensioners from the Norilsk Industrial Region to more hospitable parts of Russia. As is well known, life in the harsh conditions of the Far North is difficult, and the cost can be a drain on resources. Unfortunately, very few can afford the cost of leaving for the “mainland”, as the locals refer to the rest of Russia (from which it is effectively cut off due to the lack of road and rail links). In order to solve this problem, the company gives assistance to those who wish to leave, paying them compensation and helping with the necessary paperwork. Since the inception of this programme, almost 10,000 of MMC Norilsk Nickel’s workers and pensioners have resettled in more climatically temperate regions
With the aim of doing away with the financial burden for pensioners who wish to leave the Norilsk Industrial Region to resettle permanently in other parts of Russia, the company launched its “Six Pensions” programme in March 1999. Under this programme, pensioners are provided with material assistance each month that amounts to six times the level of the state pension for a period of two years after leaving the company and resettling on the “mainland”. This programme is assisting in solving many social and economic problems. It provides a degree of security for the pensioners concerned and enables the company to deal with the problems associated with an ageing workforce while taking on young workers and specialists. From the inception of this programme, more than 7,000 workers at MMC Norilsk Nickel have been able to resettle on the “mainland” having reached pensionable age.In addition to the “Six Pensions” scheme, in 2001, the company put into action its Lifelong Professional Pension Programme.
Given the fact that most of the company’s workplaces are located within the Arctic Circle, in areas whose climatic conditions are less than conducive to the workforce’s comfort and well-being, and bearing in mind the difficult working conditions experienced by its employees, the company pays a great deal of attention to its rest and recreation programme.
Regular physical exercise and participation in sport are seen as essential to the maintenance of the worker’s ability to function happily and efficiently in the harsh climactic conditions that prevail in the Norilsk Industrial Region. This is why the Physical Exercise and Sport Development Programme is regarded as a priority by the company.
