Annual Report 2003

REPORT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL REPORT Ž E L E Z I A R N E P O D B R E Z O V Á 2 0 0 3 17 HUMAN RESOURCES The personnel strategy of the company is based on the idea of human resources being the most important asset. The company has incorporated sophisticated personnel management systems including education, training, employees’ benefits, labour safety and health protection, and social policy. This programme is being updated every year in line with the financial plan of the company by investing in further education and in health of its employees and their families and in sports and cultural events. The programme of the company covering personnel, remuneration, social policy and the issues of labour safety and health protection is laid down in the Collective treaty for 2003, signed between the trade unions ZO OZ KOVO and the Board of Directors of Železiarne Podbrezová. The company has met all its duties and obligations arising thereof. We have provided our employees with catering service and preventive medical care, those working in risk units were offered reconditioning and health restoration stays; the accident policy was procured for all employees covering 24 hours a day. Other benefits approved within the social fund budget amounted to 11,272 million SKK. The district authorities of Banská Bystrica approved the transformation of the secondary apprentice school of metallurgy in Lopej, the official founder becoming Železiarne Podbrezová. This is an important step enabling us to prepare our future professionals. Roughly 80 to 100 young people are expected to finish the school, all of them being offered job with the company, or the opportunity to move on to university. The employment rate in the company refers to the volume of orders obtained for the respective period, reflecting the needs of the production. As of 31.12.2003 the company employed 4 122 people, this being an increase by 40 people from the prior year. Average monthly salary topped at 16 827 SKK per employee, a. rise by 1,02 %, despite the fact that value added labour productivity topped at 405 903 SKK per employee, a drop by 5,06 % compared with 2002. Daughter companies and other subsidiaries in Slovakia employed 263 additional people. Year Men Women Total % of increase as against 1999 1999 2 853 896 3 749 100 2000 2 969 924 3 893 104 2001 3 096 947 4 043 108 2002 3 141 941 4 082 109 2003 3 185 937 4 122 110 Average registered number of employees (recalculated):