Murray & Roberts embraces a value system that
places sustainable development and value creation
at the heart of business strategy.
For more than 100 years, we have made a significant
contribution to the socio-economic development of
southern and South Africa.
We recognise that our business activities have an
impact on natural, social and economic environments
and we are committed to managing this impact responsibly.
In our challenge to deliver major projects to developing
economies and manufactured products to developed
economies, we embrace the principles of sustainable
development that apply to the natural, social and
economic environments.
In those parts of the developing world where we
manage significant agricultural resources, we work
to enhance the renewable potential of the agricultural
environment and to create opportunities for people
to develop and prosper.
MURRAY
& ROBERTS EMPLOYEES
We are committed to:
•
Enhancing diversity in our workforce, and
•
Working in partnership to create a better
future for all of our people.
Our group has, for several years, subscribed to
principles of equity, inclusion and fairness in
the development and training of all of our people.
Internal and external sources of education and advancement
have been used with a great deal of success. The
South African Employment Equity Act formalised much
of what was already in place and we have fully embraced
the principles and requirements of this legislation.
Murray & Roberts is committed to the transformation
of South Africa into a society where all of our
people have equal opportunity of employment and
progression, irrespective of their race, gender,
creed, sexual preference or disability.
Comprehensive and viable plans have been developed
and agreed throughout the organisation, based on
a code of good practice, and aimed at achieving
realistic goals. Consultative committees, which
include all stakeholders, meet on a regular basis,
are active at all levels and are instrumental in
communicating objectives, creating awareness and
achieving consensus.
Plans are assessed and evaluated on an ongoing basis
by the operational companies, as is progress towards
attainment of agreed objectives and goals. The overall
process is monitored and reviewed on a regular basis.
Set out below is an update of human resource issues
for the year ended 30 June 2002. This report only
covers our South African businesses. International
operations and companies have been excluded from
these statistics, as their employees are not governed
by the South African Employment Equity Act and Labour
Law legislation.
For purposes of this summary, and in accordance
with the South African Employment Equity Act, designated
groups include black people (Africans, Coloureds
and Indians), women and people with disabilities.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
The total number of employees for the entire group
was 15 379 at 30 June 2002, compared with the
16 337 last year.
Total number of employees
2002
2001
Total
15 379
16 337
International
2
752
2
863
South Africa
12 627
13 474
South Africa non-permanent
3
140
3
602
South Africa permanent
9
487
9 872
The 6% decrease from 2001 is
primarily caused by the disposal of certain businesses
during the last 12 months. A breakdown of employees
per business cluster is presented on page 79 of
this report.
SOUTH AFRICAN WORKPLACE PROFILE
AND MOVEMENT Demographic Profile (South
Africa) – as at 30 June 2002
Occupational
levels
African
Coloured
Indian
White
Total
Top Management
1
1
2
64
68
Senior Management
9
15
15
261
300
Mid-management
18
58
42
419
537
Junior Management
456
471
144
1 024
2 095
Semi Skilled
2 933
641
221
445
4 240
Unskilled
2
000
222
12
13
2
247
Total Permanent
5
417
1
408
436
2
226
9
487
Actual
Target
Employment
equity
2002
2005*
Employees with
disabilities
140
45
Gender
Female
1 039
1 094
Male
8
448
8
433
9
487
9
527
Non-management-level by gender
Female
773
734
Male
5
714
5
634
6
487
6
368
Management-level by gender
Female
266
360
Male
2
734
2
799
3
000
3
159
Race
Black, coloured and Indian
7 261
7 641
White
2
226
1
886
9
487
9
527
Non-management-level by race
Black, coloured and Indian
6 029
5 853
White
458
515
6
487
6
368
Management-level by race
Black, coloured and Indian
1 232
1 788
White
1
768
1
371
3
000
3
159
*
The 2005 targets are the consolidated
figures for the South African operations
and thus comparisons with actual levels
on a group basis are not representative
of actual situations.
HEALTH
SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT
Murray & Roberts is committed to
integrating sound health, safety and
environmental management into all aspects
of our business activities.
HEALTH & SAFETY
At Murray & Roberts, we continue
to strive for a healthier and safer
environment for all of our employees
and the communities in which we conduct
our business.
Our group is committed to the health
and safety of our employees and to protecting
the public against hazards associated
with our activities. In South Africa,
we operate within the framework of the
Occupational Health & Safety Act
of 1993, while our operations in other
jurisdictions are committed, as a minimum,
to the regulations that govern health,
safety and environmental matters.
Adequate resources are provided at operational
levels to ensure the understanding,
implementation and maintenance of effective
health and safety actions.
During the year under review, Murray
& Roberts RUC’s development
project at the Palabora Underground
Mining Project, received the National
Occupational Safety Association (NOSA)
Five Star award. Alloy Wheels International
was upgraded by NOSA from three to four
stars.
There has been a disappointing increase
in the 12 month rolling average Disabling
Injury Frequency Rate (DIFR) of certain
group operations, while others have
shown significant improvement. A systematic
approach is being applied to reduce
DIFR’s which are currently above
the international benchmark.
HIV/AIDS
Murray & Roberts recognises that the spread
of HIV/AIDS poses a threat to certain areas of our
business and to the broader socio-economic environment.
We make use of industrial theatre and other means
to ensure awareness and understanding of the risks
and scope of this threat and to encourage safe sexual
and occupational behaviour. A number of our companies
use the expertise of experienced counsellors for
employees who are living with HIV.
Work is done on an ongoing basis to identify and
understand the impact of HIV/AIDS on our company.
ENVIRONMENT
At Murray & Roberts, we recognise our interdependence
with the communities in which we conduct our business
activities and we are committed to managing the
impact of our activities on the natural environment
in a responsible manner.
Environmental assessments are conducted in accordance
with international standards with the assistance
of recognised institutions.
During the year under review, Alloy Wheels International
and Gemtec achieved ISO 14001 certification, an
internationally recognised standard for the implementation
of an environmental management system. All other
manufacturing plants in the group are working towards
the fulfilment of ISO 14001 requirements as part
of their challenge to be world class.
SOCIAL INVESTMENT
Murray & Roberts invests in mathematics, science
and technology education, early childhood development,
environmental management and the development of
women.
Our strategy is guided by developmental priorities
on the national agenda in South Africa and our other
key markets and is also geared towards developing
expertise and skills that will serve future human
resource requirements of our group.
We continue to support development aimed at the
fulfilment of human needs by enhancing the learning
process, assisting in meaningful empowerment and
promoting sustainable development. We respond to
appeals from the communities within which we conduct
our business activities and in which our employees
live.
To leverage funding within these key areas, we seek
opportunities for partnerships with other funders
and we encourage our existing beneficiaries to apply
their expertise to the benefit of new development
projects.
MAJOR INITIATIVES
During the year under review, Murray & Roberts
invested in the following major initiatives:
2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development
We chose to be a South African partner of the Johannesburg
Summit to show our commitment to sustainable development
and to contribute to the successful fulfilment of
this important event in our country.
Business Trust
Murray & Roberts is one of the South African
businesses that initiated the formation of the Business
Trust in partnership with government. The Trust
focuses on targeted job creation and capacity building
programmes.
New Partnership for Africa’s Development
(NEPAD)
As a South African business enterprise committed
to the sustainable growth and development of our
continent, Murray & Roberts has declared its
support for NEPAD and was a corporate sponsor of
the “Unpacking NEPAD” conference in
Johannesburg.
Rock Art Museum
South Africa’s rock art is part of our nation’s
rich cultural heritage. It is also a learning resource
and potential provider of long-term sustainable
national income. In acknowledgement of this, Murray
& Roberts is a sponsor of the new Rock Art Museum
project at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
The museum will be built on the Wits campus to conserve
and display the Rock Art Research Institute’s
extensive collections and rock engravings. It will
showcase South Africa’s world-renowned rock
art and establish a nationwide series of connected
rock art sites.
Murray & Roberts has supported the preservation
of South African rock art for over 30 years through
a long association with the Rock Art Institute,
primarily through the JD Roberts – Harald
Pager Rock Art Collection, which Murray & Roberts
has endowed to the Institute.
CONCLUSION
We have made important progress in applying the
principles of corporate citizenship throughout our
organisation during the year under review, but we
acknowledge that we have much to learn and contribute
during the years ahead.
