(Oslo, Norway - January 18, 2013) Today Telenor ASA signed an agreement with UNI
Global Union, the voice of 20 million service sector workers around the world,
in order to establish a platform and framework for dialogue between UNI and
Telenor on fundamental labor rights. Telenor recognizes the importance unions
can play in representing employee interests, and the role UNI can take in this
regard, based on their knowledge and competence concerning labor relations.
"This agreement gives us the opportunity to actively cooperate with UNI, to
address employee interests and dialogue across the Group," said Jon Fredrik
Baksaas, President and CEO, Telenor Group. "In accordance with the governing
principles of Telenor, all our employees have the freedom to organize and to
take part in the development of their companies."
Mutual cooperation, satisfying working conditions
The agreement between Telenor and UNI promotes trusting relationships between
employees, their representatives and the companies within Telenor Group, through
mutual cooperation and satisfying working conditions. It also establishes
mutual understandings about the process of unionization among Telenor
employees. The two parties will meet at least once a year, and have committed
themselves to maintaining an ongoing dialogue.
"We look forward to building this relationship with Telenor.  Together, I
believe that we can continually improve the work environment. UNI looks forward
to sharing our experience with employees and their representatives when it comes
to unionization," said Philip Jennings, UNI General Secretary. "We currently
work with 47 multi-national companies to help raise standards and ensure respect
for people in the workplace."
Telenor and UNI respect the rights of all employees to exercise freedom of
association, no matter where they work around the world. The management,
employees and their representatives are jointly responsible for developing good
industrial relations based on mutual respect.
Asian and European employees can seek guidance from UNI
"If our local employees in Asia, seek to form a union, it is Telenor's policy to
offer support. They will now have an opportunity to seek guidance and knowledge
from UNI. We see this as empowerment of employees," said Sigve Brekke, Head of
Telenor in Asia.
"The agreement with UNI will serve to strengthen our open and constructive
dialogue between employees, union representatives and management. With UNI on
board, our employees and their unions will now have more resources at their
disposal," said Kjell Morten Johnsen, Head of Telenor in Europe.
Read more about UNI Global Union.
Contacts:
Tor Odland, Vice President, Telenor Group Media, tel.: (+47) 990 90 872, e-mail:
tor.odland@telenor.com
Richard Elliott, Director of Communications,UNI Global Union:
Mobile: +41 79 794 9709, e-mail: richard.elliott@uniglobalunion.org
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Source: Telenor via Thomson Reuters ONE
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