Question at BHP-Billiton Annual General Meeting

Question Presented at BHP-Billiton Shareholders Annual General Meeting
Thursday November 26 in Brisbane

Dear Chairman and Shareholders

My name is DUBAN VELEZ MEJIA, Colombian worker, member of the Colombian Trade Union Confederation in Antioquía and Sinaltrainal President in Medellin, and I am here on behalf of the Colombian workers. Our main problems are the coal mine at Cerrejon in la Guajira and ferronickel mine Cerromatoso (Montelibano Córdoba) 99.8% owned by BHP-Billiton.

I hope that you can improve our understanding of the company policies regarding the following

The global laws such as Global Compact that is certified in the ISO 8.000 in the subject of Social Responsibility guarantee the well-being and fair treatment of the workers, indigenous communities and the environment where the Company operates.

These formal requirements are fulfilled by BHP Billiton. It appears as simply a standardized requirement. But it seems you wish to create unlimited profit, paying only lip service to these agreements.
The treatment received by the workers and different indigenous communities in Colombia by the Company or its satellite branches is the complete opposite of the intention of these agreements like the Global Compact.

BHP-Billiton signs agreements with governments. We believe that BHP benefits form the internal conflict in Colombia, becoming an accomplice of the humanitarian tragedy that we are going through.

We call upon the shareholders meeting here to acknowledge the reality of what goes on in Colombia, hoping that steps will be taken to change the policies of misery generated in the communities.

Hoping that you will take notice of our concerns and not wait until we are forced to campaign in order to get justice, by incurring compensation and fines.

Beside the social problems we have big risks to our environment. At Cerrejon, BHP wants to re-route the river 17 kilometres to bring it close to the mine so the water can be used. Below the mine the water quality will be poor; it may endanger community water supplies, agriculture and fisheries downstream. These are the livings of the people downstream.

What is the Ethical, moral or judicial end of the agreements by BHP?
In Colombia, wherever BHP has a presence, hunger and lack of shelter prevails. The local people are losing?

We demand Health, education, employment with liveable conditions and a living wage, rather than generating inhumane situations of poverty. That obstructs the dignified development of our people. The abyss that increases every day between the rich and the poor will doom our future generations.

Thanks