More and more engaged in promoting diversity and inclusion, Braskem was acknowledged last Friday (11/30) by Out & Equal Workplace Advocates , the world's largest organization for LGBT+ rights. The Excellence Award, which recognizes companies and individuals who have made significant progress over the last year in advocating for the diversity and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in companies, was awarded to the company for achievements and achievements in 2018 in this area.

"This is a very important recognition, as it shows that we are on the right track for an increasingly inclusive work environment for the LGBTQIA+ population," said Debora Gepp, responsible for Braskem's Diversity & Inclusion program , which also ran in the individual category of the awards. "Today, we are searched for by several organizations and are proud to welcome companies from different segments to tell more about our challenges and proposals on the issue. It is gratifying to receive a prize and a nomination from this important institution, which has existed since 1996, and to know that many companies are engaged," she said.

This Friday's achievement is a result of the main actions carried out in the last years, which featured training and actions of engagement for leaders and members. In 2017, the Working Groups on Diversity and Inclusion were created, and the LGBTQIA group is made up of 30 members from all locations in Braskem Brazil. The recruitment and selection guideline was revised so that the criteria and guidelines were aligned with the promotion of diversity. In addition, Braskem's Diversity and Inclusion Forums took place in all the regions where the company operates in Brazil, with the participation of more than 900 members, as well as the Diversity and Inclusion Week, with the promotion of dialogues and participation of members from across Brazil. In 2018, the company offered onsite training for more than 500 leaders in Brazil.

Braskem was also the first major Brazilian company to become a signatory of the Companies and LGBTI+ Rights Forum and currently supports the Standards of Conduct for the LGBT+ population of UN Free & Equal . In addition to the LGBTQIA+ front, the Diversity and Inclusion Program operates on the fronts of equity gender equity, race and ethnicity, people with disabilities, and socioeconomic equity (people in social vulnerability).

In the front of gender equality, breastfeeding support rooms were built in all regions where Braskem operates in Brazil. With the UN Women partnership, we have enabled the training of teachers from the Camaçari-Bahia state network in the "O valente não é violento" ("Brave Is Not Violent") program, to support the elimination of violence against women and girls in the region. Another action was the extension of maternity leave to 180 days across Brazil.

In relation to race and ethnicity, a partnership has been established with the Empregue Afro consultancy, which offers support in attracting black candidates to permanent positions and internship programs. This resulted in a 15% increase in black trainees hired.

Marcelo Arantes, Vice President of People, Communication, Marketing and Sustainable Development, says that Braskem has been working to become more inclusive, guaranteeing equal opportunities for everyone through the Diversity & Inclusion Program. "Our goal is to ensure a work environment free of prejudice and discrimination, where each person can be who they really are," he said.