1 Scope of the Policy
The Company has adopted this Human Rights Policy as a framework for human rights management and operating practices of the Company and the businesses under its management control, covering all activities related to employees or workers, the supply chain, communities, and society.
In addition, the Company intends to encourage its joint ventures, business partners, suppliers, and other relevant parties in its supply chain to operate on the basis of respect for human rights, by adopting this policy as a guideline for practice or applying it as appropriate.
2 Definitions
Human rights means the natural rights inherent to every human being, which are indivisible, regardless of race, skin color, sex, language, religion, education, customs and traditions, culture, social status, property or place of residence, political opinion, or any other status under law or binding obligations. Furthermore, everyone is entitled to equality and freedom, and has the right to protection from slavery and torture, the right to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as the right to work and to receive fair and appropriate remuneration that supports an adequate standard of living for themselves, without discrimination.
3 Human Rights Policy Guidelines
The Board of Directors, executives, and employees of the Company respect human dignity, treat all stakeholder groups equally, and provide equal opportunities to all without discrimination on the grounds of race, nationality, skin color, sex, gender identity, age, religion, language, creed, belief, social status, family origin, disability, or political opinion, in accordance with applicable laws and international human rights principles. In addition, the Company places importance on protecting and promoting the rights of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups who may be at risk of rights violations or unfair discrimination. The Company will conduct its business with comprehensive due care to prevent human rights violations in its work processes, and has established human rights policy guidelines covering the following key areas:
3.1 The Company rejects child labor and strictly sets criteria and minimum age requirements for employment in accordance with the labor protection laws of each country. This reflects the Company's respect for and promotion of children's rights by avoiding business activities that may adversely affect children, and by supporting child development through responsible business conduct.
3.2 The Company promotes fair employment by treating all employees and workers, including migrant workers, fairly, equally, and transparently at every workplace. Employment terms and conditions are clearly specified and mutually agreed upon by both parties, covering wages and benefits, working hours, overtime, holiday work, sick leave, and annual leave, without deduction of wages or any other compensation, and holidays and other benefits are provided at no less than the levels required by law. The Company also protects the maternity rights of pregnant employees or workers, granting maternity leave including the post-natal period, with wages and/or compensation during maternity leave no less than required by law, and protects their right to return to their original position at the end of maternity leave.
3.3 The Company is committed to paying fair wages and compensation equally, without discrimination on the basis of gender or age, in compliance with minimum wage laws, and to providing benefits as required by law. The Company also supports compensation that is sufficient and appropriate for a decent living, taking into account the economic context and cost of living in each country where it operates.
3.4 The Company sets working hours in compliance with labor laws, establishing maximum working hours and limiting overtime to within legal limits, in order to prevent excessive overtime and promote work-life balance and the quality of life of employees.
3.5 The Company does not tolerate forced labor in any form and strictly complies with the employment terms and conditions under the labor protection laws of each country. Work assignments to employees and workers are based on individual capabilities and the mutual agreement of both parties. The Company also opposes human trafficking and labor exploitation that violates human rights principles, whether in the form of prison labor, slave labor, or any other form of forced labor for exploitation of any kind, in its operations, supply chain, and businesses under its control or management.
3.6 The Company respects the rights and freedom of employees and workers to participate or not participate in any activities on a voluntary basis, including expressing their opinions and expressing themselves in a manner that does not conflict with the law or good morals.
3.7 The Company respects and supports freedom of association, including the right to collective bargaining of employees and workers, and provides opportunities for employees and workers to communicate and express their opinions to management on welfare and working conditions in an appropriate manner, without threats, harassment, or obstruction of any kind.
3.8 The Company promotes and supports occupational health and safety covering persons and property of the Company, employees, workers, relevant stakeholders, businesses under its management control, and the supply chain, in order to create a safe and standardized working environment. The Company establishes measures and systems for preventing and monitoring safety risks in compliance with relevant occupational safety and health laws, and provides safety training to suppliers/contractors before they begin work, in line with international occupational health and safety standards and the Company's safety regulations.
3.9 The Company opposes and refrains from any act of discrimination, intimidation, harassment, and violence in all forms, including ridicule, unwelcome comments about individual differences, sexual harassment through conduct or words, and inappropriate behavior in the workplace that implies sexual harassment or causes a person physical or mental humiliation, all of which constitute violations of human dignity and safety.
3.10 The Company respects the rights of indigenous peoples in all areas where it operates, and is committed to recognizing, protecting, and promoting the customs, traditions, ways of life, local wisdom, and cultural heritage that are the inherent rights of indigenous peoples.
3.11 The Company supports improving the quality of life of people in communities and society equally and without discrimination, and supports access to educational opportunities, internships, vocational training, and suitable job placements, in order to build experience and enable sustainable entry into the labor market.
3.12 The Company has a comprehensive Human Rights Due Diligence system and process covering its internal operations, businesses under its management control, and the supply chain, including both existing operations and new businesses to be acquired through mergers or joint ventures. The process covers identifying salient human rights issues, assessing impacts, establishing preventive and mitigation measures, and providing remediation and mitigation that is appropriate, legitimate, or generally accepted, with an emphasis on stakeholder engagement throughout the process. In addition, the Company monitors human rights violations, tracks compliance with the Human Rights Policy, and regularly reports and discloses information, in order to strengthen confidence and accountability at every level of its business.
3.13 The Company accepts complaints or reports of human rights violations related to the Company, whether arising from the Company's activities, businesses under its management control, and/or the supply chain, through the complaint channel on the Company's website, nep.co.th, under “Whistleblowing and Complaints.” The Company will ensure fairness and protection for individuals who file complaints or report human rights violations related to the Company, in accordance with the protection measures set out in the Company's Code of Conduct. All information received will be kept confidential, and the complainant's name or any identifying information will not be disclosed.
3.14 In the event that the Company causes or contributes to a human rights violation, the Company will provide appropriate, timely, and effective remediation and assistance to those affected, take disciplinary action against those responsible, and establish preventive measures to prevent recurrence.
3.15 The Company is committed to instilling and building an organizational culture of respect for human rights by monitoring and never ignoring any act that constitutes a human rights violation. The Company will also continuously and regularly communicate, disseminate knowledge, and provide human rights training to the Board of Directors, executives, and employees of the Company, businesses under its management control, and the supply chain, in order to raise awareness and understanding of the Company's Human Rights Policy and strengthen the capacity to prevent and respond appropriately to related incidents.
3.16 The Company will review the Human Rights Policy annually or whenever a significant event occurs, to ensure that the policy remains consistent with laws, international practices, and/or the business environment.
3.17 Any person who violates human rights shall be deemed to have breached the Company's Code of Conduct and this policy, and shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Company's regulations. If such an act constitutes a legal offense, that person may also be subject to legal penalties.
