KB Petroleum LLP is proud to have a diverse workforce on staff. All workers and contractors are protected from illegal discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, gender, handicap, sexual orientation, or political opinion by the KB Petroleum LLP Code of Conduct. Although the diversity of our department heads and board of directors gives us hope, we acknowledge that there are still issues with diversity in the oil and gas industry, particularly with regard to gender diversity. We strive to be a desirable workplace that celebrates diversity and has a friendly environment.

In order to improve gender parity throughout the organization, KB Petroleum LLP is collaborating with interest groups to identify strategies. In order to further these objectives, KB Petroleum LLP has also had a business equality and diversity policy in place for a number of years. In Kazakhstan, women will comprise 23% of KB Petroleum LLP’s workforce by 2020.

The Board is dedicated to taking into account the advantages of diversity in future appointments and understands how important it is to keep improving in this area. This includes making sure Turkmen nationals are fairly represented at the highest levels of the Company. Women represent 24% of the workforce at the department head level. The goal of our HR department is to create a pipeline of diverse employees at all organizational levels and to put in place an internal promotion policy. We are happy to announce that 7% of KB Petroleum LLP’s 2020 recruiting class consisted of women.

Education and training

For the communities in which we operate to become economically self-sufficient, we believe that investing in our people is essential. The terms of the agreement state that we must accrue 1% of the relevant field development costs annually. At least once a year, funding for HSE training—which covers fire safety—is allocated. Beyond the minimum stipulated by the PSA, no extra training was provided. Retirement or termination of employment caused an employee’s work to stop, but they received no assistance.

Our employees’ children can apply for financial aid and educational grants to help with college and university costs. Help and fellowships for education may be given on a case-by-case basis. In 2020, KB Petroleum LLP will provide education and training programs to support 537 employees. (722 employees as of 2019). Our group’s total training expenses in 2020 were US$0.9 million (2019: US$2.1 million), for a total of 7214 training days (2019: 7,264 days).

Human Rights Policy

In 2020, the company implemented a Human Rights Policy that demonstrated its commitment to adhering to industry best practices. There was no policy-related training in 2020 (nil in 2019). In addition to the Human Rights Policy, there is also the KB Petroleum LLP Code of Activity (“the Code”), which outlines the values that direct business conduct and gives a general overview of what KB Petroleum LLP deems appropriate worker behavior. These principles include clauses pertaining to human rights, diversity in the workplace, inside dealing, and inside knowledge.

Whistleblowing Policy

Our whistleblowing policy is applicable to all employees of KB Petroleum LLP, regardless of their position or status, and it takes into consideration the public concern and the whistleblowing arrangements code of practice established by the Kazakhstan Standards Institute. Three compliance liaison officers are listed in the Whistleblowing Policy. They are multilingual and can be contacted with any concerns. The Code makes reference to the Whistleblowing Policy as well, guaranteeing that those who report in good faith will not face any repercussions.