COVID-19

From the start of this crisis, Metlen has been implementing a multifaceted plan with the following actions, initiatives and instructions intended to protect and support the health of its people. Indicatively, the company proceeded to:

• Setting up a special team (Covid Management Team) for monitoring, evaluating and dealing with the effects of the phenomenon effectively.
• Developing a comprehensive preventive action plan two weeks before the first case occurred in the country; to be updated based on developments.
• Timely adoption of increased personal hygiene measures. Drawing up clear instructions and putting in place measures to supervise their observance, for all the staff to apply the rules of personal hygiene based on the directions of the National Public Health Organization (NPHO), the World Health Organization and the Company's Occupational Physicians, was a major means of protection and of limiting the spread of the virus.
• Specialised instructions and special care for employees belonging to vulnerable groups.
• Maintaining social distancing. Avoiding visits indoors with large numbers of people, following the instructions of the Ministry of Health and of competent bodies; avoiding crowding and maintaining two-metre safety distances between desks (2 persons per 15 m²).
• Adopting teleworking for 90% of staff working in offices and conducting online meetings through use of Teams / Skype / Teleconference platforms, exceeding 800 meetings per day.
• Creating a special "SARS-CoV-2 - What I need to know" microsite, as well as establishing an “HR Call Center” for keeping employees informed continuously about the Company's measures and instructions.
• Maintaining a Program of Regular Fortnightly Disinfections (using approved certified non-toxic, colourless and odourless material) of all facilities intended to reduce the levels of microbial load significantly.
• Daily temperature screening of all employees and direct communication with the company doctor in case of feeling unwell.
• Distributing regularly a special individual package per employee, containing face masks and sanitisers.
• Installing hand sanitiser dispensers at key points of the premises.
• Suspending the operation of eating facilities and reopening them under specific conditions and safety measures.
• Issuing special instructions to the staff for the proper use of air conditioners, based on the relevant circular of the Ministry of Health.
• Restricting/banning business travel.
• Updating prevention and protection guidelines, including tips for safe vacations.
• Use of a face mask by employees when moving from their workplace within the company.
• With the experience of dealing with the first wave of the pandemic, the Company prepared for the safe return from their holidays both of employees and of external collaborators with a permanent presence in the company's facilities. In this context, after a five-day telework from the date of return from vacation (where this is possible), all employees undergo preventive diagnostic tests, at the Company's expense. The tests are conducted either by special teams at the facilities of the Company, which has procured the relevant equipment, or at diagnostic centres contracted by the Company.
• The company has arranged with diagnostic centres that first-degree relatives of employees may be tested at preferential prices.

At a time when the pandemic poses new challenges and tests the economy on a global scale, Metlen has demonstrated strong resilience and continues to do so. Maintaining all its production units in operation, without hitch in the supply chain and also in processing customer orders, it effectively contributes to its own shielding and to supporting the Greek economy without any reduction in the safety of its employees. Focusing on maintaining an uninterrupted operation, the Company took strict measures to reduce the potential threat from Covid-19, long before it became a pandemic. Particular emphasis has been placed and continues to be placed on ensuring its competitiveness and operational efficiency. Specifically:

The following measures were implemented at the operational level:

• Developing business continuity plans with targeted measures for our production units; they are in full force and are being adapted according to developments.
• Establishing a communication and management network consisting of special teams, in all of the Company's facilities both in Greece and abroad.
• Continuously reviewing the necessity of business trips and visits to production units. In particular, guests are provided with a"welcome kit" containing face masks and sanitiser.
• Putting in place special safety measures  at Protergia Energy stores.
• Putting in place procedures and establishing areas for locating and isolating potential outbreaks of the virus in office premises and industrial facilities.
• Adopting additional special measures in the Metallurgy Business Unit, such as: a) discontinuing mass transfer of personnel to the aluminium plant by leased buses - giving incentives for commuting by private vehicle, subsidising a part of the fuel; b) closing locker rooms and providing single-use protective clothing; c) avoidance of crowding in control rooms and notification of shift change by telephone

The following measures were aimed at the financial level:

• Maintaining the Company's liquidity.
• Continuing the implementation of 70% of its investment program and re-evaluating the remaining 30% pending the effects of the pandemic.
• Planning for transforming part of the Company's activities in order to participate dynamically in Sustainable Development projects which require advanced know-how; also in view of the major projects that have been announced in Greece, in the context of restarting the economy in the post Covid-19 era.
• Granting a bonus of more than € 1m. to employees in the production lines of the factories in recognition of their significant contribution to the smooth operation of the Company.