Employment equity
AFGRI is mindful of its responsibility to address the imbalances of the past – in particular in the workplace. For this reason employment equity (EE) is viewed as a strategic business imperative by the Group, to which the high rate of employment of people from designated groups attests.
AFGRI’s experiential learning programme has gained momentum in the period under review. All young graduates on the programme last year have been permanently employed. The Group also accepts the importance of promoting fair employment practices. Its transformation agenda includes a vision to make AFGRI a preferred company to work for.
AFGRI Trading has established a trainee programme, in which students from a designated group are exposed to all aspects of the Trading department and trainees spend six months in each of Procurement, Forwarding and SAFEX. This initiative aims to get more individuals through tertiary education without financial concerns and addresses future diversity within the Trading department.
A number of staff members from designated groups have been earmarked to participate in the Group’s succession plan. A development plan has been formulated for each of these staff members to ensure that EE targets at senior levels are met.
All recruitment activities are monitored by the Group’s Human Resources department. This ensures that EE candidates are shortlisted and interviewed, and managers are advised on the legal and fair recruitment practices and procedures within the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
The above methods and flexible strategies are effective in attracting potential employees, and in time, gaps in diversity will be closed.
Black Economic Empowerment
The Agri Sizwe Empowerment Trust partnership has set the standard for transformation in the agricultural sector. The first formal BBBEE scorecard for AFGRI Operations Limited was completed during the period. The score achieved was 48,29, and this places the Group as a ‘Level six contributor’. The Group is working towards improving on this level when next rated.
AFGRI Farming was established to assist community-owned and individually owned black farms. It specialises in supplying a holistic solution to participants, from land preparation to harvest to produce storage and sales. All work is carried out on a profit-share basis. A total of 11 500 hectares was cultivated and planted during the 2007/8 season.
Local residents are used as tractor drivers, sub-contractors and casual labour. Special training sessions and courses are held on farmers’ days to facilitate skills transfer. Ongoing communication, to establish priorities on specific training for selected community individuals, is part of the solution offered. The ultimate goal is to enable farmers to be self-reliant and commercially viable.
An indirect spin-off of these projects is the revitalisation of storage infrastructure in these areas and the stimulation of local economies and job creation.
Health and safety
Much has been accomplished in terms of establishing health, fire and first aid training, inspection, risk registers and disaster recovery plans. Fire alarm systems have been installed and additional installations to computer sites have been made. Employees are familiar with the actions required in the event of emergencies. All documentation, such as installation and commissioning certificates and procedure manuals, is available on site.
HIV/AIDS
AFGRI has embarked on an HIV/AIDS intervention project to mitigate the impact of the disease in the Group. The objective of the project is to develop a comprehensive implementable outcomesbased HIV/AIDS workplace programme for all employees.
In the period, the following programmes were undertaken:
- Knowledge, attitudes and practices survey
- HIV and AIDS policy
- Information, education and communication
– Information sessions
– Peer education programmes
– Awareness campaigns
- Condom distribution
- Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT)
Implementation of the above programmes was highly appreciated by employees and managers, demonstrated by the high level of participation and the number of calls received on how to deal with a suspected chronically ill individual.
A total of 1 108 people participated on the VCT programme. The HIV infection rate (prevalence) was 14,9%, which translates into 165 employees being infected with the virus. The figure excludes those that knew their status and did not partake. Assistance will be offered to all employees who need attention, be it counselling or advising on the way forward.
AFGRI is in the process of contracting an employee wellness company to further manage all employees with chronic conditions. During the project, other tests for blood sugar, cholesterol, body mass index and hypertension were conducted. All those diagnosed to be at risk were advised on what to do. The project was a success and helped many employees become aware of their health status. The HIV prevalence (as guided by VCT) is high but is not above most high impacted industries like construction and mining. AFGRI has shown commitment in taking care of its employees beyond testing HIV positive.
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