Canadian Diamonds Assessment: Labor Practices

Assessment | Monitoring | Wildlife and Water | Labor Practices | Conclusions

PROGRESSIVE lABOR PRACTICES

In 1999, the Diavik Socio-Economic Monitoring Agreement established preferential hiring practices for Aboriginal and local workers. This agreement also established a skilled labor apprenticeship program to help provide training for Aboriginal workers. Compliance to this agreement is monitored by an Advisory Board staffed primarily by representatives of the Aboriginal tribes. In 2006 the Diavik mines employed 497 workers from northern NWT, including 243 people of Aboriginal affiliation, out of a total work force of 735. In addition to direct employment, the mine has spent over $1B on Aboriginal businesses and over $1.9B in Northern NWT businesses.

A nascent diamond cutting and polishing industry is also growing in Yellowknife, including one owned by the Yellowknife Dene First Nation. As a result the average income in Yellowknife has increased 21% since 2000, the unemployment rate has dropped by 4.8%, and high school graduation rates have increased 15%. Though the violent crime rate increased in 2003 and 2004, by 2006, it had returned to 2000 levels.

Preferential hiring and skilled labor training programs offer employ-
ment opportunities for Aboriginal and local workers.

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