Barrick Gold Corporation is dedicated to recognizing and respecting human rights wherever we do business. Barrick’s Corporate Social Responsibility Charter (PDF) affirms our commitment to observe the fundamental tenets of human rights. This commitment is embedded in our corporate culture and is aligned with the principles in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. All our employees are to be treated with respect and dignity, and abide by our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
We are committed to providing equal opportunity and freedom from discrimination for all our employees and contractors, to uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor, and to support the effective abolition of child labor. Our commitment to these rights led Barrick, in 2005, to become a signatory to the U.N. Global Compact. This initiative promotes corporate citizenship by directly involving business in tackling some of the major social and environmental challenges that arise from increasing globalization. The ten principles of the Global Compact are based on internationally recognized norms and conventions in four critical areas: Human Rights, Labor Standards, the Environment, and Anti-corruption. Barrick has long been committed to the principles of the U.N. Global Compact. By signing on to the Global Compact, Barrick signaled its commitment to continue integration of the ten principles into its culture, strategy, and day-to-day operations.
As a member of the International Council on Mining and Metals (“ICMM”), Barrick is committed to conducting business in accordance with that organization’s Sustainable Development Principles. The Principles include a commitment to “uphold fundamental human rights and respect culture, customs, and values in dealing with employees and others who are affected by our activities.” As part of this commitment, Barrick will:
- Ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are instituted and implemented to ensure that human rights are being fully respected;
- Promote human rights through engagement with host governments, local communities, civil society, and our employees and contractors;
- Engage with local stakeholders to understand the local context and determine the most effective means of promoting human rights and respecting local communities, and assess the impact of operations on social factors, including human rights;
- Support the investigation and appropriate remediation of human rights violations;
- Ensure that grievance mechanisms are in place at all sites to allow effective reporting of human rights concerns, and protect all employees who timely report suspected human rights violations;
- Provide culturally appropriate human rights education, training, and guidance to all relevant staff; and
- Implement proactive human rights programs when operating in challenging areas with high social and political risks.
http://www.barrick.com/responsibility/human-rights/default.aspx