OREANDA-NEWS  On 10 October was announced, that OJSC VolgaTelecom prepared and presented its first corporate social responsibility report for 2006-2007 to the world. The report was prepared in accordance with AA 1000 international standard providing for the feedback from various groups of stakeholders in making the report.

VolgaTelecom’s first social responsibility report covers the areas of social policy and quality of rendered services. In accordance with AA 1000 standard to get the feedback on the stated responsibility areas, the Company’s employees, end users and shareholders were selected as stakeholders. Within the frame of these dialogues the stakeholders expressed their opinion on the Company’s operations in some or other lines of business, and also made their proposals of improving VolgaTelecom’s operation within the stated areas. Basing on the results of the feedback VolgaTelecom committed to realize 16 proposals among which are providing the clients with unhampered redial to technical support service phones, implementation of virtual payment system, opportunity of remote control of selected tariff schedule, implementation of on-line office suits for clients and others.

The subscribers of Internet broadband access services were selected as feedback clients. As the feedback showed VolgaTelecom’s clients in the first place are concerned with the quality of broadband access services, as well as the Company’s giveaway programs and sponsorship. The clients made over 200 proposals; the most promising proposals are taken on for execution and are reflected in commitments stated in social responsibility report. Some of the commitments have been already met.

“Information disclosure and transparency of doing business have been always important for us as an underlying principle of corporate governance, - says Sergey Omelchenko - VolgaTelecom’s CEO. And publishing of social responsibility report is one more step towards creating transparent company and a milestone to new quality of corporate governance.”

Both VolgaTelecom’s employees and clients were unanimous in their opinion of expanding charitable activity, in particular towards children. Based on the made proposals it is planned to work out and implement the system of competitive financing of social projects.

The report is illustrated by the drawings of children – participants of “We are the children of operators!” contest. Printed copies of 2006-2007 social responsibility report were distributed among the stakeholders.

The report’s full version is available at: http://www.vt.ru/10173.