Holcim has received the “August 8^th” Award for respecting employee rights and standards achieved in the area of safety at work in the construction industry in Serbia, traditionally granted by the Trade Union of Construction Workers and the Construction Material Sector.

Upon the occasion, the Holcim plant in Popovac has been visited by representatives of the Association of Independent Trade Unions of Serbia, led by the President of the Trade Union of Construction Workers and the Vice-President of the Association Council, Duško Vuković.

“The economic reality in Serbia today is defined by a difficult situation and a difficult position of employees in the construction sector. Therefore, the honour and responsibility are even greater when you are rewarded as the employer which takes care of its employees in the right manner,” said Gustavo Navarro, General Manager of Holcim Serbia, adding that every employee receives a profit bonus once a year and that an additional salary in the amount of one and a half of the average salary in the country is regularly paid. Furthermore, employees can count on a bonus, depending on their performance at work.

At the time of the crisis, when companies in Serbia have cancelled or reduced privileges and contributions for employees, Holcim Serbia has maintained the same level of rewards as in the previous Collective Bargain Agreement from 2007.

“By awarding companies which are responsible employers in Serbia, we can additionally influence and motivate those irresponsible ones to follow a good practice example. Holcim Serbia has confirmed that it fulfils all obligations defined by the Labour law and the Collective Bargain Agreement of the Republic of Serbia,” underlined the Vice-President of the Association of Independent Trade Unions of Serbia Council, Duško Vuković.

Holcim invested around EUR400,000 in employee education in Serbia through various training courses in 2010 only. In addition, rules in the area of occupational health and safety are integral part of general conditions of every agreement in Holcim Serbia.