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Sustainable development Schneider Electric, an eco-citizen company

Social dialog in India Schneider Electric India has a strong social dialog culture with both unionized and non-unionized employees. In 2017, Schneider Electric India maintained cordial industrial relations throughout its plants. Industrial harmony has been achieved through a time-tested collective bargaining process involving unions or through Workers Representative Committees. In some of the plants where there are no recognized unions, this bargaining process is conducted with elected employees on committees such as Welfare (Works Committee), Health & Safety, Canteen, Sports and Transport, etc., including a special committee for women employees and a Prevention of Sexual

harassment Committee (fully compliant with the prevention of sexual Harassment governance as per local laws), duly represented by external women with specialist knowledge of the subject and with legal backgrounds. These committees provide a platform for employees to represent their concerns, collective grievances and workplace-related issues to the management. All employee engagement programs are run through these committees with the active participation of every employee. The process of social dialog also includes employee communication in small groups as well as through Quarterly Town Hall communication on Company performance, strategy and challenges.

5. Schneider Electric, an eco-citizen company

Schneider Electric has always been committed to playing an active role in the economic development of the communities in which it has a presence. This is reflected in the substantial involvement of the Group and its employees in supporting communities, particularly through

its Access to Energy program, its Foundation and the “Schneider Electric Teachers” NGO, and by its commitment to helping people to enter the workforce.

Access to Energy program

5.1

Context and goals In today’s world, 1.1 billion (1) people do not have access to electricity; 588 million of these live in Sub-Saharan Africa, 239 million in India and 200 million in South-East Asia. In general, these underprivileged people live on less than USD2 per day. Their families’ energy costs may run to more than USD15 per month. Improved access to energy not only improves quality of life, but also facilitates access to healthcare, education and development for those who need it most. Through its Access to Energy program, Schneider Electric wants to play a major role in helping underprivileged people to gain access to electricity. Schneider Electric is involved in 3 specific areas: E investment: manage investment funds for business development in the electricity sector; E offer: design and deliver electrical distribution solutions for underprivileged people; E training and entrepreneurship: help provide training for young adults looking to enter the electricity sector and support social and informal entrepreneurs in the energy sector. This philanthropic effort benefits from the commitment of the Schneider Electric Foundation and its employees’ contributions.

Created in 2008 and launched in 2009, the Access to Energy program illustrates Schneider Electric’s desire to create a virtuous circle combining business, innovation and responsibility.

Organization Management

The program is managed by the Sustainable Development Department. The program management team is now spread equally between France and India: E an Access to Energy Program Strategy and Performance manager; E 2 Access to Energy Solutions Business Development Directors, 1 for the Asia Pacific zone and one for the Africa, Middle East and South America zone; E an Emergency, Post-Conflict and Refugee Account Manager; E an Offering Creation Director; E a Social Investment Director, who manages the Schneider Electric Energy Access social welfare fund; E a Training & Entrepreneurship Director; E Access to Energy correspondents in key countries (India, Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, etc.).

(1) Source: OECD/IEA – Energy Access Outlook: From Poverty to Prosperity – 2017.

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