Umicore and IndustriALL renew sustainable development agreement

Today Umicore and IndustriALL Global Union renewed their Global Framework Agreement on Sustainable Development for a period of four years. The agreement reaffirms Umicore’s commitment to sustainable development, embracing economic, environmental and social objectives. More specifically, it covers human rights (including collective bargaining and equal opportunities), safe and healthy working conditions, environmental and supply chain matters and digital transformation.

The global framework agreement was first signed in 2007 and renewed in 2011 and 2015 respectively. This will be the third renewal. The latest agreement contains a number of additions and improvements, including a new section on violence and harassment at work, in line with the newly adopted ILO Convention 190, and stronger language on suppliers and subcontractors.

Both parties have undertaken to pursue the constructive dialogue they initiated in 2007 to ensure successful implementation of the agreement.

"This agreement reaffirms our commitment towards sustainability in which the engagement of all Umicore employees is vital. The dialogue with IndustriALL plays an important role in our quest to be a frontrunner in all aspects of sustainability, particularly along the supply chain of critical materials.”

Marc Grynberg, Umicore’s Chief Executive Officer

Valter Sanches, General Secretary of IndustriALL Global Union added: “IndustriALL Global Union is pleased with the long-standing partnership with Umicore in the context of this global framework agreement. We look forward to continuing our joint work with a new motivation over the new improvements in the agreement, especially the provision on due diligence in the supply chain.”

About IndustriALL

IndustriALL Global Union represents 50 million workers in 140 countries in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors and is a force in global solidarity fighting for better working conditions and trade union rights around the world.

IndustriALL negotiates with multinational companies on a global level, and fights for a social model of globalization and an economic system that puts people first, based on democracy and social justice.