190 likes | 304 Views
Corporate Responsibility and Ethics in the Global Supply Chain affecting Kenya The role of CSR Codes of Conduct How can we use this development proactively? By Henning Høy Nygaard SUSBIZ Kenya. What is a code of conduct?.
E N D
Corporate Responsibility and Ethics in the Global Supply Chain affecting Kenya The role of CSR Codes of Conduct How can we use this development proactively? By Henning Høy Nygaard SUSBIZ Kenya
What is a code of conduct? • A code of conduct refers to a company’s set of principles on social (and environmental) issues that the company and its suppliers have to comply with • Codes of conduct are not enforced by any authority
The codes are often used as: • Appendix to contracts with suppliers • Base for supplier audits • Base for co-operation with suppliers • Principles for good governance in own company
Why Codes of Conduct? • Consumer pressure in Europe • Media exposure • Management tool – weworkafter the same standards all the time • Wecan show ourbuyersourcomittment • Easier to varify • Possibility to point out zero tolerance and other principles
Risk Management or Business Development Codes of conduct as tool for • Risk management • Business development • Streamline your business strategy • Promote productivity and growth • Access new markets • Attract qualified staff • Drive innovation
The Background of Codes • UN conventions • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights • The ILO’s declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work • The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development • The United Convention against Corruption 2. National law
The Background of Codes GLOBAL COMPACT - UN • Ten principles for responsible business within four main areas • Human rights • Labour Standards • Environment • Anti-Corruption • Today, approximately 7000 companies are member of Global Compact, and • XXX in Denmark • XXX in Kenya
Codes of conduct supporting initiatives in Denmark The CSR compass
Common content of Danish Codes • Forced labour • Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining • Child labour (light work, remediation programmes) • Non-discrimination • Wages • Working hours • Health and Safety (differences in level of detail, and training/management system)
Content of Codes Additional issues • Housing conditions • Management system • Harrassment or abuse • Environmental standards • Sub-suppliers
Wages – an example of divergence Living wage or minimum wage? ”…In any event, the supplier shall always provide a ’living wage’, which enables workers to meet basic needs of themselves and their dependents and to provide some discretionary income” ”It is expected that all our suppliers likewise pay wages and provides benefits consistent with national and local remuneration laws or prevailing industry standards”
From Paper to Reality Step by step….. Implementation Code of conduct
Monitoring, Enforcement and Implementation • External monitoring and/or internal monitoring? • Self assessment, external auditors, non-announced audits, shadow audits, etc • Training? • Assistance? • How to communicate?
CoC – from suppliers’ perspective • ”Unstable order placing and harsh buying practice from our customers make it impossible to uphold labour standards as dictated in the codes” • ”Our customers are behaving as policemen and are interfering too much in our business” • ”Buyers only care about cost and delivery time” • ”Is our customer complying with his own code of conduct?”
CoC – from buyers’ perspective • ”It is difficult to control the suppliers’ compliance with the codes. We do not know if the suppliers have double book keeping system and are showing us the wrong book!” • ”The suppliers do not have the same ethical values – they do not understand the code” • ”It is the suppliers’ responsibility to implement the code of conduct. We cannot help all 50 suppliers and 400 sub-suppliers”
Do Codes of Conduct Make a Difference? OR how do we ensure that the codes make a difference? • The codes cannot stand alone! • Strategies for enforcement and implementation • Communication between buyer and supplier • Assistance and help to the supplier • Management systems should be a part of the codes to ensure a continuous process
What needs to be done? Buyers need to • Make sure that the audit process is about learning and not just ”policing” • Provide support and assistance to suppliers 3. Show the link between social/environmental improvements and business development
What needs to be done? Suppliers need to • Develop their own code • Develop new policies and procedures • Allocate responsibilities at all levels • Train staff • Establish a review process
CoC exercise Prepare a small presentationcontaining: • Do youwork with codes or do youreceiverequirements from costumers? • Can yousee the benefit of integration of a CoC in you management system? • Work with the Child Labour case for 60 min and explainhow to work with CoC standards.