41 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018/2019 03 S E C T I O N RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS AND UPHOLDING GOOD SOCIAL PRACTICES Recognising that all human rights are interdependent, interrelated and indivisible, we embrace the following principles: Respecting cultural rights Exercising non-discrimination and promoting gender equality Promoting the right to an adequate standard of living through enhancing livelihoods Observing the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) Complying with labour standards eliminating any form of: • Forced or bonded labour • Human trafficking and modern slavery • Child labour Respecting workers’ rights to: • Freedom of movement • Join and form associations • Collective bargaining • Fair working hours • Decent living conditions • Safe working environments Regularisation of undocumented workers The situation of undocumented persons in Sabah is not new. The issue is highly complex due to intricate factors stemming from historical, socio-economic, political, cultural and geographical contexts. Undocumented persons working in plantations in Sabah is an industry-wide concern. FGV invited the undocumented workers of its contractors to join its workforce following a Sabah state government programme in April 2019 that allows such workers to apply for regularisation in Sabah. This was in line with the Group’s commitment to phasing out the engagement of labour contractors and to supporting national efforts to eradicate poverty and respect human rights. FGV also facilitated and paid for the applications for the regularisation of these workers. We were committed to completing the regularisation exercise by the end of June 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the MCO, the regularisation programme has been extended with targeted completion by December 2020. Below is an update on the regularisation exercise: Migrant Workers Number of applications submitted Number of workers who have received passports from the Indonesian or Philippine authorities 6,158 5,211 Number of workers who have submitted applications for biometric verification Number of workers whose compound fines have been paid 3,458 1,044 Grievance Mechanism Our GSP provides a grievance mechanism accessible to both our internal and external stakeholders to express any grievance without fear of reprisal. The Group has ensured the following channels for the submission of grievances: A. Workers are free to express their grievances through the following platforms: i. Complaint boxes ii. Grievance or complaint books iii. Approaching their appointed representatives iv. A grievance hotline v. FGV’s whistleblower procedures B. External parties may submit any grievance through FGV’s general email or directly to FGV’s Group Sustainability Division. C. FGV is in discussions with independent third-party organisations to strengthen its grievance mechanism. Among the measures being considered are the development of a more robust online grievance management system to provide greater access to any party, especially workers. Please turn to page 79 to read more about the regularistion exercise in RSPO Complaints Panel Directives.
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