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HSE-status in Bangladesh

Press release
Fornebu
3 minute read
Press Release
As part of the efforts to safeguard working conditions at subcontractors to Grameenphone in Bangladesh, Telenor has ordered an overview of fatal accidents in the period May 2007 to May 2008. In addition an overview of Grameenphone's HSE-efforts has been worked out.

"Unfortunately several persons have lost their lives while working for our subcontractors in Bangladesh, and we strongly regret every single one of these deaths. As previously stated, it pains us, and improved systems and better follow-up and control routines with the company's subcontractors have the highest priority," says Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President and CEO of Telenor.

It has not been customary for Telenor to report accidents with subcontractors, but related to the efforts of examining the activities of subcontractors Telenor now finds it natural to report the conditions which have been revealed. This will also be reported to senior lenders to Grameenphone.

Accidents
The overview includes workplace accidents at subcontractors, but also traffic accidents, snakebites and heart attacks. Four of the fatal accidents have been referred to in the media earlier, the remaining five represent new knowledge to both Telenor and the public. It is important to underline that these are deaths at Grameenphone's subcontractors, which the company presently has knowledge of. In addition, two fatal traffic accidents involving Grameenphone's cars have been reported.

The overview of fatal accidents at Grameenphone's subcontractors in Bangladesh May 2007 - Mai 2008 may be found here: https://www.telenor.com/working-conditions-in-Bangladesh/overview-of-fatal-accidents-among-gp-suppliers.shtml

HSE-efforts at Grameenphone
Grameenphone has implemented several educational programs and awareness campaigns to strengthen the efforts within Health, Security and Environment (HSE) among own and subcontractors' employees. This includes first aid, health and hygiene, traffic safety and general security training and use of personal protective equipment. In 2007 in all 25 educational programmes were started, involving a total of 1560 participants.

For further information regarding these programmes, see: https://www.telenor.com/working-conditions-in-Bangladesh/pre-emptive-actions-by-grameenphone.shtml

Further information:

www.telenor.com/working-conditions-in-Bangladesh /

Contacts:

Ingrid Schiefloe, Head of Media and PR, Group Communications, Telenor ASA
Ttel: (+47) 951 56977, email: ingrid.schiefloe@telenor.com

Scott Engebrigtsen, Vice President, Group Communications, Telenor ASA
Tel. (+47) 90 04 34 84, email: scott.engebrigtsen@telenor.com