Our human resources policy is based on fundamental principles and reflects the diversity of social, cultural and legal environments in our host countries.  Employees and their representatives deserve to play an important role in the company, which is why we nurture constructive employee relations in Europe and worldwide. 

Enhancing Employee Dialogue in Europe and Worldwide

In 2006, 88% of the 94 subsidiaries covered by the Worldwide Human Resources Survey had some type of formal employee representation. A total of 151 collective agreements were signed, including 140 in Europe.

Europe
With nearly 68% of its employees based in Europe, Total pursues a variety of initiatives to develop employee relations:

• The European Works Council is dedicated to informing and maintaining a dialogue with European employee representatives, and covers all European Union countries in which we operate, plus Norway. In 2005, it was renewed for a period of four years and in 2006, we signed an agreement to expand its role and increase its resources. A Sustainable Development, Corporate Social Responsibility and Safety Committee has also been set up.
  
• The Social Platform European Agreement was created as a vehicle for expanded employee dialogue, jobs and skills planning, and review of appropriate principles and actions to be taken when developments in the company affect jobs. In 2006, the Social Platform European Agreement produced an initial scorecard for ten countries and more than 50 subsidiaries in Europe. It tracks Total initiatives in the areas of employee dialogue, jobs and skills planning, restructuring and equal opportunity.

Worldwide
In non-OECD countries, Total promotes employee dialogue in line with local legislation, helping to create appropriate representative organizations. Examples include:

• Cameroon: At Total E&P Cameroon, the Committee of Wise Men, elected by employees, regularly provides input on issues affecting the subsidiary.
• Nigeria: A Joint Consultative Committee addresses working conditions, safety and security issues, logistics services for employees and other welfare issues.
• Indonesia: Total E&P Indonésie provides the SPNTI union with space and facilities and has authorized five hours a month of meetings during working hours.

An employee satisfaction survey was introduced in 2000 to garner input from employees around the world and identify opportunities for improvement. In 2005, 43,219 employees were surveyed at 136 facilities in 38 countries. The findings are reported to employees through local recaps and posted on the intranet. 
The next survey will be conducted in November 2007.