The Metinvest Group, aware of the risks and dangers associated with the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the world and in Ukraine, cannot remain aloof from what is happening. We understand that at this time, more than ever, clear and informed actions of large business are more important, namely maximum care for employees and assistance to residents of the cities of presence. Therefore, we believe that our main task is to prepare for the possible consequences of the spread of the virus. We intend to secure our enterprises with all our strength so that they continue to work smoothly and provide jobs, pay taxes and support the country’s economy directly dependent on their activities.
The health and safety of employees is an absolute priority in the work of the company. Starting March 17, all Metinvest enterprises introduced special measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. We canceled all public events and business trips. All workrooms and vehicles that transport employees to and from work are regularly sanitized. Canteens are switched to buffet mode with packaged products and bottled water. Metinvest is organizing the provision of personnel with the necessary personal protective equipment during the crisis, despite their shortage in the market. More than 160 thousand medical masks and respirators and more than 1 million gloves were purchased for employees of all Ukrainian enterprises of the Group. All staff are also provided with hand sanitizers. Protective equipment stocks are replenished as they become available: we are constantly looking for any possible options for their purchase, and as soon as we find them, all these funds are immediately transferred to enterprises.
Metinvest is ready to help saving patients with suspected coronavirus COVID-19, viral pneumonia and other pulmonary diseases, providing medical facilities with oxygen necessary in an epidemic. So, the Ilyich and Azovstal MMK Works transfer the necessary oxygen for patients to Mariupol city and regional hospitals, the perinatal center, oncology clinic, as well as to all medical institutions sending such a request to these enterprises.
The Group participates in the work of the regional anti-crisis headquarters against coronavirus. The company’s sanatoriums are put on duty and ready to start receiving patients at any time. This week, Metinvest expects delivery of 20 thousand express tests for COVID-2019, which will be distributed between medical institutions in Kiev, Mariupol, Zaporizhzhia and Krivoy Rog. Metinvest allocates money for the purchase of personal protective equipment and special equipment for law enforcement officials, laboratories and emergency medical stations – employees of these units monitor the implementation of quarantine measures and are at risk every day.
Despite the difficult situation, Metinvest Group continues to pay salaries in full to all its employees. The administrative staff of the management company and up to 95% of the administrative staff of manufacturing enterprises are transferred to remote work. Workers at risk are sent on paid leave or transferred to work remotely. In addition, in the conditions of economic uncertainty, Metinvest enterprises decided to temporarily abandon tax holidays to ensure the stability of local and state budgets, as well as the effectiveness of measures to combat the COVID-19 virus.
Recall that the shareholder of Metinvest Group Rinat Akhmetov joined the efforts of all businesses of SCM, the Charity Fund and FC Shakhtar to help Ukraine in the fight against coronavirus. Earlier, Rinat Akhmetov, on a personal initiative, allocated 300 million hryvnias for the country’s struggle against coronavirus. The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation buys 300 thousand rapid tests for the Stabilization Fund under the President of Ukraine, as well as at least 200 mechanical ventilation devices for state hospitals.