Petrobras' commitment to human rights is expressed in its code of ethics and in its social responsibility policy

Human rights

Promoting citizenship

Defending human rights, both internally and externally, is part of Petrobras' corporate strategy and is one of the pillars of the company's performance. It is also expressed at the Corporate Social Responsibility Policy, in the Human Resources Policy, and in the Code of Ethics. Operational responsibility concerning human rights permeates all executive managements, especially the Social Responsibility, Human Resources, and Health, Safety, Environment, and Energy Efficiency ones.

Pacts and initiatives we have adhered to demonstrate of our commitment to uphold human rights and encourage reflection on the theme, both within Brazil and abroad. Petrobras has been a signatory of the UN Global Compact since 2003, and, since 2006, a member of the Brazilian government's Pro-Gender Equality Program. In 2010, we endorsed the Women's Empowerment Principles, sponsored by the UN Development Fund for Women and by the Global Compact, and the Declaration of Corporate Commitment to Confront Sexual Violence against Children and Adolescents, an initiative of the Presidency of the Republic's Secretariat for Human Rights, in partnership with FIRJAN (Federation of Industries of Rio de Janeiro) and the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS). We are also signatories of the National Pact for the Eradication of Slave Labor in Brazil.

All of our significant contracts in terms of investment size or strategic importance include human rights clauses.

We also make sure our suppliers respect these rights. There is a standard that requires and ensures that the contracts include the Term of Commitment to Social Responsibility exhibit, which contains human rights clauses. These rules are featured, for example, in all nine main investment agreements signed in 2010 for the refining developments, which are worth about R$2.7 billion. The refining contracts also count on the Engineering Supplier Management Program (Progefe) to monitor five key criteria: Technical, Economic, Legal, Management, and HSE. The results provide information about the suppliers and assist in the selection process for bids.

In 2010, a Contractual Guideline for Communications and Social Responsibility was approved and must be complied with by the companies contracted to carry out construction works for Petrobras. The Guideline requires, for example, holding events for the workforce with a focus on citizenship and human rights. Fifty-seven agreements that follow this standard have already been signed.

Engineering Communications and Social Responsibility Contractual Guidelines

Approved on April 1, 2010, the guideline seeks to set the duties, responsibilities, guidelines, requirements and procedures for Communications and Social Responsibility to be adopted by contractors, including:

• Guide the construction of a management plan for communications and social responsibility, with programs and projects considered as minimal and necessary for the smooth progress of the work;
• Determine the minimum number of professionals who should be dedicated to communication and social responsibility;
• Propose agreements on these issues (contact with the press, use of the brand, signaling of the work, image rights, ethical commitments, among others);
• Ensure hours of training on communications and SR, workforce mobilization and demobilization plan;
• Ensure the holding of events for capacity building of workforce on issues related to citizenship and social rights.

Petrobras' service contracts also include clauses covering aspects of human rights and health, such as health, environment, safety, and social responsibility. Some organizational units undertake additional initiatives. For instance, the Bahia Operational Unit, the Presidente Bernardes Refinery-Cubatão (RBPC), and the Paulina Refinery (Replan) have their ombudsmen available to outsourced employees in order to receive complaints, criticism, and suggestions.