The SIA Ventspils nafta termināls company, which is a subsidiary of the joint stock company Ventspils nafta, will receive an award from the Latvian Association of Free Labour Unions (LBAS) on January 9, 2009, as the best co-operation partner among private enterprises. The award is being awarded for the company's strengthening of social dialogue and the emergence of a good local partnership through a collective labour agreement. The award will be received by Ronald Okker, general director and board member at SIA Ventspils nafta termināls. The company was nominated for the award by the Industrial Sector Labour Union. “We have always understood our social responsibility for people who work for SIA Ventspils nafta termināls. That was true particularly last year, when the company implemented substantial projects aimed at modernising and restructuring, and some employees had to be retrained for work under new circumstances and in a different market situation. If this process of change is to be successful, one of the most important factors is understanding and a change in attitudes on the part of employees. At our company, this was facilitated by successful co-operation with the labour union. We are very proud to receive this award, as it shows that we are on the right path to continue to develop relations between the employer and the employees which are open and based on mutual understanding,” says Okker. “We have always worked actively with company management on issues that are of importance to employees. Since the international Vitol company entered our ownership structure, dialogue between management and the labour union has reached a new level. Last year a collective labour agreement was concluded, and in addition to the social guarantees which are set out in the Labour Law, there are many other guarantees. There were also substantial changes in the wage system. All employees receive medical insurance, those who have worked for the company for the longest period of time receive additional money, and that also applies to retired employees. The company also provides financial support for employees whose children are entering school. The agreement has other advantages, too,” says Sergejs Bikovs, chairman of the SIA Ventspils nafta termināls labour union. This is the fourth year that the LBAS has presented its award. The organisation evaluated collective agreements at institutions and companies, the guarantees that are offered to employees, the approach to socioeconomic issues, as well as material and moral support for labour union activities. Organisations which are part of the association offered the Co-operation Partner 2008 award in three categories - local government institutions and companies, private companies, and the mass media. SIA Ventspils nafta termināls is a subsidiary of the joint stock company Ventspils nafta. 51% of the company is owned by Ventspils nafta, while the remaining 49% belong to Euromin Holdings, Ltd., which is part of the international Vitol corporation. The terminal provides transit services - delivery of oil and diesel fuel which arrives by pipeline, handling of diesel fuel, petrol and other oil products which arrive via rail and sea, as well as storage and reloading of those products. SIA Ventspils nafta termināls is the largest company of its kind in the region, and its oil and oil product holding tanks can hold 1.2 million cubic metres of product. There is no analogue to this anywhere in nearby countries. AS Ventspils nafta For more information: Gundega Vārpa, public relations and advertising director Telephone +371 67229182 gundega.varpa@vnafta.lv