43 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018/2019 03 S E C T I O N RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS AND UPHOLDING GOOD SOCIAL PRACTICES FGV is currently conducting a socialisation programme to raise awareness on its revised GSP, Suppliers Code of Conduct (SCOC), Guidelines and Procedures for the Responsible Recruitment of Foreign Workers and other relevant codes and procedures. The programme comprises a series of engagement sessions involving various stakeholders, including mills, estates, suppliers and contractors, to ensure their compliance with FGV’s principles and standards. The socialisation programme started in July 2019 and is expected to be completed by June 2020. Strategic Alliances and Partnerships Collaboration with International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Earthworm Foundation (EF) FGV has also participated in a one-year joint labour supply chain mapping project organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Earthworm Foundation (EF). Launched in April 2019, the scope of the project includes reviewing processes and procedures for the recruitment of migrant workers to identify any gaps and propose initial recommendations. The participation of FGV will align its practices with international standards. Affiliation to Fair Labor Association (FLA) As part of FGV’s commitment and long-term endeavour to respect human rights and enhance its labour practices, FGV, with the support of the Procter & Gamble Company, became a Participating Company of the Fair Labor Association (FLA) in October 2019. The FLA is an international association of socially responsible companies, universities and civil society organisations aiming to promote and protect the human rights of workers and improve working conditions worldwide. The FLA works together with Participating Companies to develop and enhance internal social compliance systems that identify and remedy labour rights issues. Securing this affiliation to the FLA is part of FGV’s efforts to ensure that all our practices are fully in line with international labour standards. It will involve implementing a long-term programme to address and resolve gaps in FGV’s labour practices. The scope of this programme covers all aspects of FGV’s labour practices such as recruitment procedures, fair wages, placements and onboarding processes, as well as working and living conditions. Through the FLA affiliation, FGV has developed a comprehensive five-year action plan which will serve as FGV’s overarching programme to enhance its labour practices. The action plan is designed to align FGV’s commitment and practices on labour with the FLA’s Principles of Fair Labor and Responsible Sourcing for Companies with Agricultural Supply Chains (Principles). The Principles are based on international human rights standards and instruments including the International Bill of Human Rights, as well as the International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, particularly the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The Principles also uphold and promote the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) and the OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains. The action plan includes FGV’s commitment to, among others, responsible recruitment of migrant workers, strengthening of grievance mechanisms, regularisation of undocumented migrant workers, improving monitoring systems and remediation and enhancing stakeholder engagement. The programmes and initiatives highlighted in the action plan are also part of FGV’s commitment and role in contributing to the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The action plan aims to be strategic, long-term and collaborative to enable FGV to proactively address labour issues. In developing the action plan, FGV has engaged in consultation with various external stakeholders, including international and Malaysianbased civil society organisations (CSOs). FGV is committed to continuing engagement with all external stakeholders throughout the process including in the implementation phase of the action plan. The 2020 action plan builds on the initiatives and actions already implemented by FGV in the past years and complements ongoing efforts undertaken by FGV to address labour matters including those raised by the RSPO Complaints Panel as well as by the petitions. In keeping with our commitment to transparency, the Background and Summary of the Action Plan for 2020 was made public on 31 March 2020. The 2020 action plan is deemed to be a living document, which FGV will review and update regularly, in consultation with relevant parties including the FLA. As the affiliation to the FLA is a Group-wide effort, we have also established a Core Team comprising representatives of all the relevant departments and divisions within FGV, who will play an instrumental role in implementing the action plan. The Group Sustainability Division will act as the main coordinator for this purpose. The implementation of FGV’s action plan under the FLA affiliation will be monitored and assessed independently by the FLA. Collaboration with Tenaganita To educate employees, including migrant workers, about their rights, FGV is working closely with the local non-governmental organisation, Tenaganita, to develop a human rights module for onboarding sessions. The objective of the module is to promote greater awareness and understanding of rights among workers. https://www.fgvholdings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Backgroundand-Summary-of-FGV-Action-Plan-2020.pdf
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