Initiative completes one year with positive actions and development that reinforce the company's commitment to the topic

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) program, connected to the company's purpose of carrying out mining differently, celebrated its first anniversary last Saturday (28). The initiative is in line with Human Rights practices, the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations Organizations and the Letter of Commitment from the Brazilian Mining Institute (Ibram).  

The initiative is also in agreement with the company's Human Rights Policy, which aims at fostering respect for people  and Human Rights for the development of the business, reaffirming its commitment to society and the main thematic references applicable to the industry.  

 “Our environment has always been encouraging respect for people, regardless of race, belief, religion, but we understand that this is not enough. With the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program, we seek to promote an environment of physical and psychological safety that allows people to be who they are. Diverse teams have more flexibility in their decisions, are more likely to propose new ideas and are more productive”, said the general manager of Human and Organizational Development, Vera Lucia.  

  Samarco has goals such as increasing the representation of women in leadership positions and operations, and increasing the number of people with special needs in higher education positions.  

Actions 

The DE&I program was structured in partnership with Mais Diversidade consulting services and created Diversity groups, made up of own employees and contractors, who signed up to work voluntarily with the Diversity Committee in the definition of strategies, goals and indicators. In total, approximately 100 people are involved in the Gender Equity, Race, LGBTI+ and People with Special Needs groups.   

An example of positive action is that Unions allowed maternity leave to evolve into parental leave in the last collective agreement. That is, benefits and rights were formalized, valuing the equity of all people, regardless of their affective-sexual orientation, which are considered in our parental policy. The same applies to day care assistance. 

“The goal is to encourage an environment aligned with the purpose of equity, in order to minimize historical debts. The support from Samarco and from active people is decisive for the results”, highlighted the Corporate Risks analyst, Lucas Vaz Praça, leader of the LGBTI+ group, who is in line to adopt a child, together with his husband.    

Another action provides for the participation of around 70 young blacks - selected through the Apprentice Program - in Senai professional courses in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, as early as February this year. These young people will have the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice at Samarco's facilities.         

“I am very proud to work in a company that provides job opportunities and education for black people with consistent and transformative actions. There is still a journey ahead, but with the certainty that we already have a more diverse, equitable environment and aware of the responsibility we have with society”, emphasized Infrastructure analyst, Karen da Costa, leader of the Race group.        

To contribute to the increase in the number of women, cisgender and transgender people in an industry of mostly male, the company allocated job vacancies for the female public with the Women in Mining Internship Program. The 70 secondary and higher level students start their internships at the beginning of January. “I believe that, in addition to having a positive impact on the company, we take what we learn home, influencing friends , family,” said Strategic Marketing analyst Melissa Cangussu Vianna, leader of the Gender Equality group.   

Another ongoing initiative is the implementation of breastfeeding rooms so that lactating mothers can pump and store milk in a suitable place. Initially, the room will be inaugurated in Belo Horizonte and will be replicated in Germano (MG) and Ubu (ES) complexes.  

The "Operation Professional Program", exclusively for people with special needs, was also developed. In the last stage of the program, 17 people were hired. “Today I know the importance of these actions and how much they encourage global change act an inspiration for other companies”, concluded the Maintenance supervisor, Leandro Nascimento, co-leader of the People with Special Needs group. 

For 2023, the company anticipates the expansion of projects related to the program, which include attracting and developing professionals, training, encouraging the creation of groups in universities and public schools on the subject, among others.