Indigenous Peoples
The Company’s operations out in the Russian regions have an impact on the lives of indigenous peoples, which is why NOVATEK pays special attention to engaging with local communities and supporting social projects to raise their quality of life. The Company runs a comprehensive program to raise the living standards of indigenous peoples, preserve their traditional ways of life, culture, and ethnic identity, and protect their ancestral lands.
The Company works together with the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Region Government, municipal authorities, NGOs of indigenous peoples of the Far North, and nomadic families engaged in traditional economic activities.
The Company has internal regulations governing engagements with indigenous peoples. In particular, the Indigenous Peoples of the Far North Engagement Guide of OAO Yamal LNG is binding for both NOVATEK and contractor employees.
Cooperation with the indigenous peoples of the Far North
The Company’s approach is based on best international standards and is governed by both its social policy and the Plans to Promote the Sustainable Development of Indigenous Peoples developed at the Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2 projects (the “Plans”), taking into account the views of nomadic families.
As part of further efforts to implement the Plans, we started monitoring the effectiveness of implementing Plans to Promote the Sustainable Development and supported the design of social infrastructure facilities, the operation of socially oriented non-profit organizations, and the purchase of vital goods for nomadic reindeer herders.
When planning economic or other activities in the areas where the indigenous peoples of the Far North traditionally live, the Company holds public consultations as a matter of course and runs a process of seeking free, prior, and informed consent from the indigenous peoples of the Far North to take into account their interests.
The Company annually takes part in traditional festivals of the indigenous peoples, such as Reindeer Herder’s Day, Fisherman’s Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and events commemorating anniversaries and memorable dates of Nenets writers and poets. NOVATEK supports the preservation of cultural heritage sites, implementing Khorei — the Yamal Literary Map project — and supporting activities to preserve the traditional ways of life, culture, and language of the indigenous peoples of the Far North.
NOVATEK also implements a training program for indigenous people of the Far North — matched to the employment needs of energy companies — and supports young talents.
Indigenous peoples documents
The Company has developed and successfully applies several documents that are aimed at promoting the sustainable development of the indigenous peoples and guarantee respect for their rights to lead a traditional lifestyle, protect the ancestral habitat and preserve cultural traditions.
In its engagement with indigenous peoples of the Far North, the Company considers the requirements of several international human rights instruments, including:
- Provisions of ILO Convention No. 87 “On Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize” are reflected in the Company’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, and are also regulated by the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. In particular, Yamal LNG set up a Workers’ Council to facilitate collective bargaining on social and labor relations and conclude collective bargaining agreements by holding staff general meetings and voting;
- Provisions of ILO Convention No. 98 “On Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining” are reflected in the Company’s Collective Bargaining Agreement and are also regulated by the Labor Code of the Russian Federation;
- NOVATEK fully complies with ILO conventions on forced and child labor and discrimination — the Company does not use forced or child labor; and
- ILO Convention No. 100 “On Equal Remuneration (‘Concerning Equal Remuneration for Men and Women Workers for Work of Equal Value’)” is implemented through by the Labor Code of the Russian Federation and is fully complied with by NOVATEK.
