Act ethically
The company has an opportunity to establish a process to identify and address risks and impacts associated with bribery and corruption. Currently, it has a mechanism in place for stakeholders to raise concerns about bribery and corruption. However, it could further clarify if this mechanism is accessible to all stakeholders and if individuals can choose to identify themselves or remain anonymous when making a complaint.
Furthermore, the company has made its policy statement on lobbying, personal political activities, and engagement with government officials publicly available. However, it could further elaborate on its political engagement strategy and emphasise its non-participation in political contributions, or alternatively, state the criteria for any exceptions that may exist. It could also transparently disclose all lobbying expenditures.
Provide and promote decent work
The company has stated that it may conduct inspections, audits, and evaluations to assess suppliers’ business practices, records, facilities, and housing accommodations if provided. However, it has an opportunity to provide evidence of how it monitors suppliers’ compliance with its health and safety standards for workers.
In addition, the company could establish a time-bound target to ensure all workers receive a living wage and describe the methodology used to determine a living wage in the regions where it operates. While the company has set expectations for the wages paid by its suppliers, it can further strengthen its requirements by including a mandate for suppliers to pay a living wage and disclosing how it supports this payment.
Furthermore, although the company has expressed its commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, it can enhance its efforts by translating these statements into a public policy document and disclosing a related time-bound target. It could also disclose the ratio of basic salary and remuneration between women and men.
Respect human rights
The company has an opportunity to strengthen its commitment to the ILO’s fundamental rights at work by clarifying whether the commitment is applicable across all contexts and locations. While it expects suppliers to respect specific workers’ rights, the company could broaden its focus to encompass all the ILO fundamental rights at work.
Additionally, the company could describe the process for identifying human rights risks and impacts in specific activities or locations, covering both its operation and value chain, as well as the process for assessing and identifying its salient human right issues. Moreover, it could establish a global system to address its salient human rights issues by implementing preventive, mitigative, or remedial measures.