Foodtech JSC Public Policy on Social and Labor Standards

FOODTECH JSC CODE OF CONDUCT

We, Foodtech JSC, are committed to social, environmental and ethical principles and values. Foodtech’s policy applies to it and its supply chain, including production facilities and fishing and supply vessels. Our environmental responsibility covers measures to protect natural resources and promote sustainability in the raw material, goods and services sourced by the company. Our ethical responsibility covers honest and fair business conduct.  We, Foodtech JSC, ensure work ethics on working with our suppliers and business partners, on which they in return impose work ethics as well.  Through this Code of Conduct, we, Foodtech JSC, applied the principles and procedures administered by the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), as follows:

1. The rights of Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining 

Foodtech JSC shall: (a) respect the right of workers to form unions in a free and democratic way; (b) not discriminate against workers because of trade union membership and (c) respect workers' right to bargain collectively. Foodtech JSC shall not prevent workers' representatives from having access to workers in the workplace or from interacting with them. 

2. No Discrimination 

Foodtech JSC shall not discriminate, exclude or have a certain preference for persons on the basis of gender, age, religion, race, caste, birth, social background, disability, ethnic and national origin, nationality, membership in unions or any other legitimated organizations, political affiliation or opinions, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, marital status, diseases or any other condition that could give rise to discrimination. In particular, workers shall not be harassed or disciplined on any of the grounds listed above.

3. Fair Remuneration 

Foodtech JSC observe this principle when they respect the right of the workers to receive fair remuneration that is sufficient to provide them with a decent living for themselves and their families, as well as the social benefits legally granted, without prejudice to the specific expectations set out hereunder. 

Foodtech JSC shall comply, as a minimum, with wages mandated by governments' minimum wage legislation, or industry standards approved on the basis of collective bargaining, whichever is higher. 

Wages are to be paid in a timely manner, regularly, and fully in legal tender. Partial payment in the form of allowance "in kind" is accepted in line with ILO specifications. The level of wages is to reflect the skills and education of workers and shall refer to regular working hours. 

Deductions will be permitted only under the conditions and to the extent prescribed by law or fixed by collective agreement. 

4. Decent Working Hours 

Foodtech JSC observes this principle to ensure that workers are not required to work more than 48 regular hours per week, without prejudice to the specific expectations set out hereunder. However, Foodtech JSC, recognizes the exceptions specified by the ILO. 

Applicable national laws, industry benchmark standards or collective agreements are to be interpreted within the international framework set out by the ILO. 

In exceptional cases defined by the ILO, the limit of hours of work prescribed above may be exceeded, in which case overtime is permitted. 

The use of overtime is meant to be exceptional, voluntary, paid at a premium rate of not less than one and one-quarter times the regular rate and shall not represent a significantly higher likelihood of occupational hazards. Furthermore, Foodtech JSC shall grant  workers with the right to resting breaks in every working day and the right to at least one day off in every seven days, unless exceptions defined by collective agreements apply.

5. Occupational Health and Safety 

Foodtech JSC observe this principle to respect the right to healthy working and living conditions of workers and local communities, without prejudice to the specific expectations set out hereunder. Vulnerable individuals such as - but not limited to - young workers , new and expecting mothers and persons with disabilities, shall receive special protection. 

Foodtech JSC shall comply with occupational health and safety regulations, or with international standards where domestic legislation is weak or poorly enforced. 

The active cooperation between management and workers , and/or their representatives is essential in order to develop and implement systems towards ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. This may be achieved through the establishment of Occupational Health and Safety Committees. 

Foodtech JSC shall ensure that there are systems in place to detect, assess, avoid and respond to potential threats to the health and safety of workers. 

Foodtech JSC shall take effective measures to prevent workers from having accidents, injuries or illnesses, arising from, associated with, or occurring during work. These measures should aim at minimizing so far as is reasonable the causes of hazards inherent within the workplace. Foodtech JSC will seek improving workers protection in case of accident including through compulsory insurance schemes. 

Foodtech JSC shall take all appropriate measures within our sphere of influence, to see to the stability and safety of the equipment and buildings use, including residential facilities to workers provided, as well as to protect against any foreseeable emergency. 

Foodtech JSC shall respect the workers' right to exit the premises from imminent danger without seeking permission. 

Foodtech JSC shall ensure adequate occupational medical assistance and related facilities. Foodtech JSC shall ensure access to drinking water, safe and clean eating and resting areas as well as clean and safe cooking and food storage areas. Furthermore, Foodtech JSC shall always provide effective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all workers free of charge. 

6. No Child Labour 

Foodtech JSC observe this principle to not employ directly or indirectly, children below the minimum age of completion of compulsory schooling as defined by law, which shall not be less than 15 years, unless the exceptions recognized by the ILO apply. Foodtech JSC establishes robust age-verification mechanisms as part of the recruitment process, which may not be in any way degrading or disrespectful to the worker. This principle aims to protect children from any form of exploitation. Special care is to be  taken on the occasion of the dismissal of children, as they can move into more hazardous employment, such as prostitution or drug trafficking. In removing children from the workplace, Foodtech JSC should identify in a proactive manner, measures to ensure the protection of affected children. When appropriate, Foodtech JSC shall pursue the possibility to provide decent work for adult household members of the affected children's family. 

7. Special Protection for Young Workers 

Foodtech JSC observe this principle to ensure that young persons do not work at night and that they are protected against conditions of work which are prejudicial to their health, safety, morals and development, without prejudice to the specific expectations set out in this principle. 

Where young workers are employed, Foodtech JSC should ensure that (a) the kind of work is not likely to be harmful to their health or development; (b) their working hours do not prejudice their attendance at school, their participation in vocational orientation approved by the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from training or instruction programs. 

Foodtech JSC shall set the necessary mechanisms to prevent, identify and mitigate harm to young workers; with special attention to the access young workers shall have to effective grievance mechanisms and to Occupational Health and Safety training schemes and programs.

8. No Precarious Employment 

Foodtech JSC observe this principle when, without prejudice to the specific expectations set out in this chapter, (a) they ensure that their employment relationships do not cause insecurity and social or economic vulnerability for their workers; (b) work is performed on the basis of a recognized and documented employment relationship, established in compliance with national legislation, custom or practice and international labour standards, whichever provides greater protection. 

Before entering into employment, Foodtech JSC is to provide workers with understandable information about their rights, responsibilities and employment conditions, including working hours, remuneration and terms of payment. 

Foodtech JSC should aim at providing decent working conditions that also support workers, both women and men, in their roles as parents or caregivers, especially with regard to migrant and seasonal workers whose children may be left in the migrants' home towns. 

Foodtech JSC shall not use employment arrangements in a way that deliberately does not correspond to the genuine purpose of the law. This includes - but is not limited to - (a) apprenticeship schemes where there is no intent to impart skills or provide regular employment, (b) seasonality or contingency work when used to undermine workers' protection, and (c) labour-only contracting. Furthermore, the use of sub-contracting may not serve to undermine the rights of workers

9. No Bonded Labour 

Foodtech JSC shall not engage in any form of servitude, forced, bonded, indentured, trafficked or non-voluntary labour

Foodtech JSC shall act with special diligence when engaging and recruiting migrant workers both directly and indirectly. 

Foodtech JSC shall allow workers the right to leave work and freely terminate their employment provided that workers give reasonable notice to the employer. 

Foodtech JSC shall ensure that workers are not subject to inhumane or degrading treatment, corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion and/or verbal abuse. 

All disciplinary procedures must be established in writing, and are to be explained verbally to workers in clear and understandable terms.

  10. Protection of the Environment 

Foodtech JSC observes this principle to take the necessary measures to avoid environmental degradation, without prejudice to the specific expectations set out in these principles.

Foodtech JSC should assess the significant environmental impact of operations, and establish effective policies and procedures that reflect environmental responsibility. Foodtech JSC will see to implement adequate measures to prevent or minimize adverse effects on the community, natural resources and the overall environment. 

11. Ethical Business Behaviour 

Foodtech JSC observes this principle when, and without prejudice to the goals and expectations set out in this chapter.  Foodtech JSC is not involved in any act of corruption, extortion or embezzlement, nor in any form of bribery - including but not limited to - the promising, offering, giving or accepting of any improper monetary or other incentive. 

Foodtech JSC is expected to keep accurate information regarding their activities, structure and performance, and should disclose these in accordance with applicable regulations and industry benchmark practices. Foodtech JSC should neither participate in falsifying such information, nor in any act of misrepresentation in the supply chain. 

Furthermore, Foodtech JSC should collect, use and otherwise process personal information (including that from workers, customers and consumers in their sphere of influence) with reasonable care. The collection, use and other processing of personal information is to comply with privacy and information security laws and regulatory requirements. 

Foodtech JSC

Mr Taveesak Rittinarongchai / CEO

Signed Date: October 2018