Code of Conduct

THE RIGHT OF FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

Our partners shall respect the rights of workers to form unions in a free and democratic way. They shall not discriminate against workers regarding their union membership and shall respect worker’s right to bargain collectively.

Our partners shall not prevent worker’s representatives from having access to workers in the workplace or from interacting with them in break hours and free times. It is very important to balance the equation by respecting the working hours without any disruptions or attempts to interacting.

If Bluverd teams up with a partner located where union activity is unlawful or where free and democratic trade union activity is not allowed, our partner shall allow workers to elect their own representatives freely.

NO DISCRIMINATION

Our partners shall not object a person of any discrimination in recruitment, employment, wage, promotion, working conditions, training, benefits or any other issue on basis of gender, age, religion, race, caste, birth, social background, disability, ethnic and national origin, membership in unions or legal organizations, political opinions, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, diseases or any other condition that could give rise to discrimination.

FAIR WAGE & EQUAL PAY

Our partners shall comply, as a minimum, with wages defined & mandated with government’s minimum wage legislation or industry standards approved on the basis of collective bargaining, whichever is higher.

Wages and benefits shall be paid in a timely manner, regularly and fully in legal tender.

Our partners shall respect equal pay between women and men for work of equal value and equal employment opportunities to women.

DECENT WORKING HOURS

Our Partners shall ensure that workers are not required to work more than 45 hours per week defined by contract. The use of overtime shall be voluntary, exceptional and not to be exceed 15 hours per week. Overtime shall be paid at a premium rate of not less than one-quarter times the regular rate.

Other than in exceptional circumstances, the sum of regular and overtime hours in a week shall not exceed 60 hours.

Our partners shall grant their 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.

NO CHILD LABOR

Our partners shall ensure that no person is employed under the age of 15 or under the age of completion of compulsory schooling as defined by law. Our partners must establish an age-verification mechanism as part of the recruitment process. This mechanism may not be in any way degrading or disrespecting to the worker. This principle aims to protect our future, children, from any form of exploitation.

NO BONDED LABOR

Our partners shall not engage in any form of forced, compulsory, bonded, servitude, indentured, trafficked or non-voluntary labor. Our partners are required to ensure any third-party entity recruiting or hiring employees, including migrant workers among others, there is no withholding of wages or identity documents, nor sexual exploitation.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Our partners shall comply with occupational health and safety regulations, or with international standards where domestic legislation is weak or poorly enforced. Co-operation and team work between workers and management easing the implementation of systems and continuously improving them. Effective regulations shall be implemented to detect and prevent accidents, minimize health risks, and provide security as much as possible including providing dormitory facilities if applicable

COMPLY WITH LAW & CODE

Our Partners are expected to comply with and will be monitored to all relevant and applicable national laws and regulations in the country where they do business. Further, our partners shall comply with norms, best practices and Bluverd’s Code of Conduct.

NO CORRUPTION

Corruption brutally weakens the economy, sustainable development and the efficiency of international and national trade by distorting competition to the disadvantage of consumers and businesses. It is for this reason that corruption is illegal in practically all countries worldwide. Bluverd supports and will give preference to partners with anti-corruption policies in order to prevent incidents of corruption.

NO SUBCONTRACTING

Our partners shall be transparent about all steps of their supply chains. Permission for subcontracting is only granted after an audit by Bluverd with a written approval. Our partner shall ensure the compliance to this codes and applicable laws after permission granted.

ETHICAL BUSINESS BEHAVIOR

Our partners shall share accurate data regarding their activities, structure and performance, and should disclose these in accordance with applicable regulations and industry benchmark practices.

PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT

Our partners should evaluate ecological impact of operations, and establish effective policies and procedures that reflect their environmental responsibility.

Bluverd expects from all partners to be transparent about environmental impacts of their operations and promises to work with partners to identify priorities to take the necessary measures to avoid environmental degradations and opportunities for improvement.