health of the newborn and working as a whole is finalized. “The report Tim. “If it becomes accepted that women
right through.” describes in detail the health needs of work, then they will begin to have the
the community and the expected same health benefits as the men.”
International SOS already had a team impacts of the project”, says Francesca.
onsite at Reko-Diq delivering healthcare Barrick is promoting opportunities
services to employees. “We asked them A series of initiatives has already started for women across its international
to field a specialist team to carry out a to address a range of cultural as well as operations to work in Pakistan, which it
baseline study of factors affecting the health issues. “We have started a literacy believes will encourage women locally
health of the local population”, says Tim. program to improve basic skills and to work at the site. “We are very proud
have supplied teachers to a small local to have employed the first, and now the
Cultural issues school”, says Tim. “We’re also promoting second, female Pakistani geologist to
With 46 main tribes in the locality, better understanding of nutrition and work at this type of operation”, says
the team held meetings with key aim to influence this through training Tim. “We’re drip-feeding the idea that
representatives to discuss health needs in how to improve diet.” there are no barriers to employment,
and problems – and this dialogue is whether tribal, religious or gender. In
ongoing. “We’re not interested in Opportunities for women other industries in Pakistan you are
dictating to the community what we One particular issue is the significant seeing these changes, and we want to
think they need”, says Tim. “We gender inequalities in the region. help do the same in the mining sector.”
combine what they say with our own Women are more malnourished because
experience and that of people like traditionally the men eat first. And
“It’s the community that
International SOS who we work with.” while men can access job opportunities
at the mines, women generally have
keeps us safe and provides
International SOS assessed a whole very minimal education and us with our employees. We
range of factors including geography, opportunities and are rarely allowed
have a responsibility to them
gender inequality, health status, diet, to travel far from home.
health and other public services, water
as a company, but also as
and sanitation, housing, demography, Through Tethyan Copper, Barrick has
human beings.”
social organization, education and the employed a female health worker and is
local economy. also training two local young women as Root causes
female health volunteers. “We’re also Tim points out that the health impact
With the research complete, the team addressing gender issues through the assessment has uncovered issues of
made a series of recommendations school, via local training initiatives, and education, employment and diet that run
which will be considered as the project through our employment policies”, says deep. “We have taken a few small steps
to start to address some of these. We
want to repeat the assessment regularly
Why companies carry out a health impact assessment
so we can monitor the situation and
decide where to put resources and
To secure international
A bank or other financial institution that has subscribed to the
medical support”, he explains.
equator Principle asks the company to carry out a health impact
financing
assessment before authorizing loans
“What makes this project special is that
Barrick wants to address the root causes
The company wants to avoid problems with communities and
of ill-health, and keep the dialogue with
To monitor its operation health authorities caused by controversial issues such as water
the community going”, says Francesca.
pollution or an increase in malaria
“It’s typical of their approach to lead by
To improve community
The company wants to implement community projects to example, not just talk about the issues.”
improve health, but does not fully understand local health
relationships
issues or the most cost-effective way forward
“Through this joint venture, Barrick
hopes to be here in Pakistan for a long
To meet government or
The national government is concerned that the project may
negatively affect the health of the community, and so asks the
time to come”, adds Tim. “It’s the
regulatory requirements
company to be proactive community that keeps us safe and
To deliver company A health impact assessment is enshrined in health standards
provides us with our employees. We have
health policies that must be implemented across the company
a responsibility to them as a company,
but also as human beings. We want to
Improving community health will improve the health of the
To improve productivity
demonstrate out commitment to this area
workforce and their families, and in turn reduce absenteeism
– and actions speak louder than words.” ■
HotlIne - Issue 2 13
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