Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a leading diversified natural resources group headquartered in Luxembourg, today announced that it has been implementing a set of measures to ensure the smooth running of its global operations and the safety of its staff amidst the coronavirus outbreak.
In light of the continued spread of coronavirus, ERG has introduced various measures to guarantee the uninterrupted and safe running of its global operations and to enhance the safety and security of its employees, their families and social communities at this challenging time.
ERG CEO Benedikt Sobotka explained: "This is a period of unprecedented global challenge and uncertainty and we have been working diligently, with close guidance by the Group's executive team and in cooperation with our stakeholders, to monitor the situation and take appropriate and rapid action. As a business, we are prepared to fully capitalise on future opportunities and growth later in the year".
Mr Sobotka continued: "Our absolute priority is the health and safety of all our employees, as well as their families and the communities in which we operate. In line with the guidance provided by governments and health professionals, we introduced a coordinated and disciplined plan of action. Thanks to this, we are well prepared to continue to operate without any material impact on our business".
As part of continued efforts to ensure that no risks are taken in relation to the health and wellbeing of ERG staff people, their families and society as a whole, ERG has implemented the following measures across its operations:
- the creation of a dedicated line of communication run by the Group HR to ensure that all staff are proactively kept up to date regarding next steps and that they receive necessary health and safety guidance on how to best protect themselves against the virus and keep exposure to a minimum;
- the launch of internal information campaigns in the regions of the Group's presence;
- encouraged social distancing for employees and arranged widespread deep cleaning of facilities and provision of hand sanitisers in all areas of common use;
- banned all business travel, unless both absolutely necessary and approved separately;
- the cancellation/postponement of all corporate events, including those in relation to national celebrations.
In addition, in the week commencing from 16 March 2020, ERG instructed staff located in its corporate offices in Luxembourg, Amsterdam, Moscow, Nur-Sultan, Dubai and Zug to work from home until further notice. At its Beijing office, the Group has introduced a rotation system, allowing colleagues to alternate between working from home and coming to the office.
At ERG's plants in Kazakhstan, employees are having their body temperature measured at checkpoints prior to entering the work area; the checkpoints are equipped with facilities for additional examination and temporary accommodation. Production staff have been provided with additional individual protective equipment and wall-mounted dispensers were installed for hand disinfection.
All enterprises have been provided with a month's worth of disinfectants for the cleaning of work areas and hand sanitisers for employees, as well as personal protective equipment (e.g. masks, respirators, gloves). Vehicles are also being disinfected and wet cleaning is mandatory in the premises every two hours. All workers' dormitories have been quarantined. Where a parent is required to stay at home with children, paid leave has been provided and provisions have been made to allow the Group's administrative personnel to work from home.
Similarly, ERG Africa has instigated a number of immediate actions to protect employees across both corporate offices and operational sites. These have included the installation of handwashing and hand sanitising units, the complete sanitisation of the facilities, the allocation of quarantine rooms and the training of staff on the warning signs of coronavirus and the measures required to combat its spread. All employees in the corporate offices, and where it was not business-critical, have been instructed to work from home. Plans are currently being drawn up to establish a quarantine area should the need arise.
Finally, BAMIN, ERG's business in Brazil, has distributed virus prevention kits, consisting of masks and hand sanitisers, in addition to the provision of an information booklet. The office has also established a crisis committee that meets daily to assess the situation. Starting from 18 March 2020, the BAMIN office was put on a work from home schedule.
Benedikt Sobotka commented: "As countries and businesses around the world work through this pandemic and prepare to rebuild in its aftermath, raw materials will play a critical role. Our focus is on continuing to safely operate our assets and, should any closures become necessary, planning for their rapid restart*.
