OREANDA-NEWS. May 23, 2012. OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel (hereinafter – MMC Norilsk Nickel, the Company or the Group) announces the implementation of the efficient system of corporate social programs aimed at recruitment and retention of manpower resources as well as at ensuring high long-term labour productivity.

In 2011, over 11.8 thousand employees were selected and recruited to work at the Group’s operations.  Over 6 thousand of employees are young people under the age of 30. Last year over 2.3 thousand people participated in corporate employment programs, 846 participants were employed by the Company. A great part of personnel will continue participating in these programs in 2012.

One of the important innovations in the area of personnel support in 2011 is the introduction of the federal telephone number 8-800-700-1943; applicants from all regions of Russia can dial this number to get a free consultation on vacancies opened at the Group’s operations.

The average salary of an employee of the Russian operations of the Group in 2011 amounted to RUB 62,963, which is higher than 2010 level by 12.6%. This indicator is 2.7 times higher than the average salary in Russia and 2.2 times higher than the average salary in the Russian metals industry. Salary growth rates in the Company in the reporting year exceeded salary growth rates throughout the country.

Employee’s compensation package, including a social package, in 2011 was 11% higher than a comparable indicator for 2010. The Company’s expenditures associated with the compensation package amounted to RUB 4.8 bln. or 7.4% of the total package.

The Company made a decision to ensure compensation of travel expenses including luggage transportation costs to recreation places and back home for the Company’s employees and their family members. From January 1, 2012, over 100 thousand employees of the Company and their family members will be able to receive compensation from the Company. Annual expenditures of MMC Norilsk Nickel for these purposes will exceed RUB 2.5 bln. 

Last year the Company continued the implementation of corporate programs Our Home (Nash Dom) and My Home (Moi Dom). Over a thousand apartments were purchased under Nash Dom program.

Corporate pension included into a standard social package of a Company’s employee will secure the confidence of MMC Norilsk Nickel’s employees in their future. In 2011, motivation components, the two pension plans “Parity” and “Corporate” were included in non-governmental pension programs. Accumulated Share Pension, thus making the mechanism of program implementation more transparent and clear. The maximum amount of the Company’s pension contributions rose from 3% to 7%. To receive accumulated share pension, an employee will no longer have to meet such requirements as at least a 15-year working record in the Company and participation in the program for not less than a year.

A corporate system of beneficial crediting was introduced: young employees of the Group’s operations will have an opportunity to receive a loan on favourable terms to purchase an apartment in the territory of Norilsk Industrial Area.

MMC Norilsk Nickel gives considerable attention to health care and recreation activities for its employees. The total amount of subsidized vouchers to Zapolyarye Health Resort granted to the Group’s employees and their family members amounted to 20,000. Over 1.4 thousand of people spent their vacations in other health resorts unrelated to the Group.

Over 1.5 thousand children of the Company’s employees visited Vita, a recreational resort for children, the national recreational center Orlyonok and Sports Camp in Lutraki, Greece. Over 5 thousand of the Group’s employees and their family members spent their vacations in Bulgaria, Spain and, in winter, in Thailand.

Currently, MMC Norilsk Nickel is developing HR Management Strategy aimed at generation of a competitive, highly professional, responsible and solid working team contributing to the achievement of the Company’s long-term goals and implementation of the approved Production and Technology Development Strategy.

ABOUT MMC NORILSK NICKEL

MMC Norilsk Nickel, a company incorporated under the laws of the Russian Federation, is the largest diversified mining and metals company in Russia, the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium and one of the world's largest producers of platinum, rhodium, copper and cobalt. In addition to this, MMC Norilsk Nickel produces a large number of other by-products, including gold, silver, tellurium, selenium, iridium and ruthenium.

The key production units of the Company’s group in Russia are at the Polar and Kola Peninsulas. MMC Norilsk Nickel international assets include operations in Finland, Australia, Botswana and South Africa.

MMC Norilsk Nickel’s shares are traded at MICEX-RTS. ADR’s on the Company’s shares are traded on the other the counter market in the US and at the London and Berlin stock exchanges.