Norilsk Nickel has extended its collective labour agreement between workers and employers by a period of three years.

It means that the original contract first signed in 2001 will remain valid until May 2007.

The Russian nickel, pgm and copper producer explained the decision was taken at a conference yesterday.

A new Collective Agreement Commission was formed at the conference, which will make minor changes to the existing agreement.

Worker's representatives also accepted Norilsk Nickel's Plan for Social and Economic Development up to 2015.

Victor Tomenko, director of the Norilsk Nickel's Polar division, commented: 'The decision of the conference and the extension of the Collective Agreement bear witness to the company's commitment to the highest standards of social responsibility and relations between workers and employers in Russia today.'