Aboriginal employment diversity in Rio Tinto
Aboriginal employment diversity in Rio Tinto Journal Article
International Journal of Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations
- Author(s): Harvey, Bruce, Gawler, Janina
- Published: 2003
- Volume: 3
Abstract: Rio Tinto is a global mining corporation with some 70 operations in 20 different countries. In Australia, its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy states amongst other things that it will “will consider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s issues”, and provide for “economic independence through direct employment, business development and training”. Rio Tinto’s commitment to Indigenous workforce diversity is implicit in this Policy and through its subsidiaries it has steadily increased the level of Indigenous employment in its Australian operations since 1995. Indigenous employees now makeup some 5% of the workforce, up from 0.5% in the mid 1990's. While this is more than double the representation of Indigenous people in the Australian population, the company’s targets are stretching for greater participation; seeking to match Group operation’s local demographic representation. The issues associated with this ambitious Indigenous diversity programme are still emerging and, in many instances, are challenging for the people involved. The benefits are also still emerging and these are equally surprising and potentially far-reaching. Experiences, progress to date and associated issues are discussed.