In working relationships, we promote the adoption of behaviour based on mutual respect and condemn attitudes that can be construed as bullying or harassment. The criteria for the application of labour standards are defined in the MSG 'Human Resources', which regulates and defines all processes in this area, in labour contracts and in union agreements signed at national and international levels.
Wherever we are present, we are committed to promoting international labour standards through regulatory documents, the national and international labour agreements in force, people management and development processes, training and communication initiatives. Since 2008, we have had a Code of Ethics in which explicit reference is made to protecting labour and trade union freedoms, as well as to “fighting against any kind of discrimination, forced or child labour".
The progressive and by now structural worsening of the refining scenario in Italy and Europe, and the sharpening of the competitive environment within the chemical sector has also made it necessary for us to revisit the organisational processes of certain businesses. In this context, the work of industrial relations has supported and facilitated the actions of business areas in the phases of change in compliance with labour standards. The international sphere also had a reorganisation. In particular, in the midstream area, which concerns oil transport and storage activities, there was the transformation and consequent reorganisation of the European business activities and operational structure of Eni companies.
On 6 July 2016 the Global Framework Agreement (GFA) was renewed with the Trade Union Organisations FILCTEM CGIL FEMCA CISL UILTEC UIL and IndustriALL Global Union on international industrial relations and corporate social responsibility, and on 16 December 2016 the agreement on the European Health Safety Observatory was renewed with the Trade Union Organisations Filctem CGIL, Femca CISL, Uiltec UIL and the IndustriAll European Trade Union Federation. By signing the Global Framework Agreement, we confirm our commitment to support and conduct business in accordance with the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the ILO (International Labour Organisation) Conventions, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the principles of the Global Compact and the UN Guiding Principles for Business & Human Rights. New elements compared to the previous agreement are the introduction of a coordinator and the involvement of local workers' representatives in the annual meeting. In 2017, as part of the agreement, we held the first annual meeting with trade unions on corporate social responsibility, where we presented Eni's Strategic Plan for 2017-2020, a focus on employment, key HSE performance and initiatives, and our approach to sustainability issues. In 2018, we delivered the training programme on the Global Framework Agreement on International Industrial Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility, which involved all Eni employees worldwide. In 2022, we completed the finalisation and/or signing of agreements with trade unions, including the one for smart working in Italy and its gradual extension abroad, for Eni people well-being initiatives, the 2022-2023 expansion contract, and renewal of the sector's collective bargaining agreements.