Principle 6

Rio Tinto requires all recruitment to be consistent with the human rights policy, equal opportunity requirements and relevant employee protection legislation.
We have received public recognition for our efforts in attracting, developing and retaining women in the mining industry.

• Rio Tinto Fer et Titane received a national award in 2008 for pioneering and tangible achievements in enhancing access for women to non traditional roles
• Rio Tinto Alcan in Australia received a citation in 2008 from the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency as an Employer of Choice for Women, for its progress in recognising and advancing women in the workforce

We have made slow progress on our target to increase the representation of women in senior management to 20 per cent in 2009, achieving 9 per cent representation in 2008. As at January 2009, 20 per cent of our executive committee were women.

Rio Tinto is committed to working in partnership with indigenous communities.  Our policy of increasing opportunities for Indigenous Australians is reflected in directly negotiated community benefit agreements. During 2008 our Australian Indigenous employment peaked at 1,493 people and settled at 1,393 people at year end, a net increase of 181 people.  This represents eight per cent of our Australian workforce and makes us the largest private sector employer of Indigenous Australians.