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We respect the heritage, dignity and rights of those who live
and work in the countries where Oxy conducts its business. At
Oxy, we respect the laws, customs and cultural values of the
communities in which we operate and strive to meet the highest
standards of integrity. We utilize several policies and systems,
including our Human Rights Policy and Code of Business Conduct,
that are designed to ensure Oxy’s business practices are
consistently effective and highly principled.
The Human Rights Policy, adopted by the Board of Directors in
2004, forms the cornerstone of Oxy’s SR Program. It delineates
the company’s commitment to promote, throughout our operations,
those rights and freedoms universally recognized in
international and national law and that are set forth in guiding
principles such as the Voluntary Principles on Security and
Human Rights (VPs).
Improving Housing and Living
Conditions in Colombia
Since 2006, Oxy Colombia has
improved the living conditions
of hundreds of families near its
operations in Colombia and
assisted in the relocation of
hundreds of other families at
Ecopetrol's LCI Field, where Oxy
serves as the technical
contractor to implement the
capital program.
Oxy Colombia’s Housing
Reconditioning Program at LLN
and LCI has identified housing
improvement needs in neighboring
communities through
comprehensive risk and
socioeconomic assessments. The
company coordinates the program
through its Land and Community
Affairs departments and
Oxy-supported foundation El
Alcaraván. The effort includes
identifying and working with
local beneficiaries and
organizations, such as the
Cooperative Housing Foundation,
to improve the condition of area
residents’ homes.
The Relocation Program is a
voluntary initiative implemented
by Ecopetrol and Oxy to ensure
the safety and well-being of
LCI’s neighboring communities.
The program follows Colombian
and international guidelines to
ensure consultation with
affected residents, respect for
their rights and socioeconomic
improvements.
The Housing Reconditioning and
Relocation programs are examples
of Oxy’s commitment to promote
sustainable development in
neighboring communities by
improving the living conditions
and quality of life for
low-income families.
 Oxy
Supports Community Access to
Water
Oxy is committed to promoting
human rights and improving the
living standards of communities
near our operations. In Oman,
for example, more than 1,000
inhabitants of the villages
surrounding the Mukhaizna Field
receive potable water from Oxy
Oman’s Water Provision Project.
Since 2006, Oxy Oman has worked
with local communities and
government agencies to address
potable water supply needs in
the areas surrounding its
operations. The government
agencies, working in
collaboration with community
members, help Oxy Oman identify
beneficiaries and local
contractors to transport water
to the villages. To date, Oxy
Oman has invested over $2.8
million in the project, and the
local communities have benefited
from the reliable supply of
potable water.
 Promoting
Human Rights in Colombia
To increase awareness and
respect for human rights in the
Colombian province of Arauca,
where Oxy operates the Caño
Limón and Caricare oilfields,
Oxy-supported foundation El
Alcaraván has formed a
partnership with Colombia’s
National Administrative
Department for Economic
Solidarity (DANSOCIAL). The
result is a new program that
directly engages community
members in promoting a culture
of peace for Arauca.
In the 2010 pilot project, human rights training was provided
to 65 area leaders — members of local community action councils known as Juntas
de Acción Comunal — in La Pesquera and Panamá de Arauca. The training focused on
three main topics proposed by El Alcaraván: awareness and promotion of human
rights; building citizenship; and creating and strengthening civic skills. The
three training modules were presented by a multidisciplinary team of economists,
psychologists, social workers, lawyers and other professionals. More than a
training exercise, the program featured case studies, group exercises and active
discussions about local and national issues directly affecting the participants.
Among the most effective components was the open dialogue, which promoted a
deeper understanding of the legal mechanisms and resources available to protect
human rights in Arauca. The project highlighted the importance of civil
participation as a means of exercising and ensuring respect for human rights.
 Promoting
Human Rights in Colombia
To increase awareness and
respect for human rights in the
Colombian province of Arauca,
where Oxy operates the Caño
Limón and Caricare oilfields,
Oxy-supported foundation El
Alcaraván has formed a
partnership with Colombia’s
National Administrative
Department for Economic
Solidarity (DANSOCIAL). The
result is a new program that
directly engages community
members in promoting a culture
of peace for Arauca.
In the 2010 pilot project, human
rights training was provided to
65 area leaders — members of
local community action councils
known as Juntas de Acción
Comunal — in La Pesquera and
Panamá de Arauca. The training
focused on three main topics
proposed by El Alcaraván:
awareness and promotion of human
rights; building citizenship;
and creating and strengthening
civic skills. The three training
modules were presented by a
multidisciplinary team of
economists, psychologists,
social workers, lawyers and
other professionals. More than a
training exercise, the program
featured case studies, group
exercises and active discussions
about local and national issues
directly affecting the
participants. Among the most
effective components was the
open dialogue, which promoted a
deeper understanding of the
legal mechanisms and resources
available to protect human
rights in Arauca. The project
highlighted the importance of
civil participation as a means
of exercising and ensuring
respect for human rights.
 OxyChem
Employees Lend "Helping Hands"
Employees at OxyChem's Dallas Tower joined
forces in 2009 to support Mosaic House, a shelter for immigrant women and
children who have survived domestic violence or human trafficking. Offering
an array of services such as legal assistance, emergency and transitional
housing, interpretation and translation, job training, and assistance with
medical care and counseling, Mosaic House is a program of the nonprofit
community-based organization Mosaic Family Services. OxyChem employees
adopted a "Helping Hands" theme to inspire their efforts on behalf of Mosaic
House. They donated clothing, school supplies, toys, toiletries and other
items needed by residents of the apartment building's eight units, each of
which can house two families or four single women. In addition, OxyChem
volunteers painted murals on the playroom walls, built storage shelves and
made the outdoor play area safer and cleaner.
 Playground
Created as Part of Oxy Colombia Program
Children enjoy a playground created as part of
Convivencia Ciudadana, an Oxy Colombia program
that directly engages employees and contractors
in assisting communities near the company's
operations in Llanos Norte. In 2009, the program
benefited more than 2,000 people in 30
neighborhoods.
 Social
Research to Broaden Knowledge of Family Life
In Abu Dhabi, Oxy is a strong supporter of the
Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy, which
develops community-based initiatives to support
and sustain social advancements benefiting the
people of the United Arab Emirates. Oxy has
provided key support for academic research
sponsored by the Emirates Foundation to increase
the amount of empirical information on Emirati
families. By addressing issues that influence
the welfare of the whole family – such as
parenting, the role of non-family members as
caregivers, relationships between youths and
their parents, family values, marriage and
divorce, and parentless children – researchers
are gleaning a better understanding of the
issues faced by families, including how they
work together and with the rest of the community
to overcome obstacles. The results are provided
to policy planners, decision makers and others
engaged in addressing current and future social
challenges. Each funded project recruits Emirati
interns or research assistants, to provide them
with training and experience in the research
enterprise and build Emirati capacity in social
science research.
 Oxy
Colombia's ACE Performance
Oxy was one of 11 finalists - out of more than
60 companies nominated by U.S. ambassadors
around the world - for the U.S. Secretary of
State's prestigious 2008 Award for Corporate
Excellence (ACE). The nomination recognized
Oxy's successful social responsibility
initiatives in Colombia, including community
education programs, environmental stewardship
and commitment to human rights. These efforts
have strengthened trust and understanding with
local stakeholders, creating a sustainable
partnership that benefits both Colombia and Oxy.
U.S. Ambassador to Colombia William R.
Brownfield nominated Oxy after visiting the Caño
Limón field and Oxy-supported El Alcaraván
foundation. The State Department's ACE program
recognizes the vital role played by American
businesses in advancing good corporate
citizenship and democratic principles abroad.
 Cultural
Awareness in Qatar
Oxy Qatar, where people from diverse cultural
backgrounds work side by side, has implemented
several programs to familiarize Western
employees with Qatari life and traditions. In
2008, Oxy hosted a traditional Sohour dinner for
employees and their families during the Ramadan
holy month, an Oxy Gala Dinner for employees and
guests, and a Family Fun Day. Oxy also presented
a Cultural Awareness Training Program for
employees and their families who are new to
Qatar; its cross-cultural dialogue attracted
longstanding employees as well.
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