Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (SET: CPF) has reassured its commitment on human rights in the organization and continues promote “zero tolerance” policy on all forms of discrimination to ensure that its food supply chain is free from human trafficking and child labor.
Ms.Pimonrat Reephattanavijitkul, Chief People Officer at CP Foods, said that respect for human rights is a fundamental principle in business operation that complies with good corporate governance, which ensures equality and prevents human rights violation of individuals both outside and within the organization – thoroughly covering internal staff, suppliers, communities and other relevant parties. Diversity and Equal Opportunity is the key to for the company to grow sustainably in rapidly changing business environment. It is also a key to global food security, which is one of nine commitments of the CPF 2030 Sustainability in Action strategy.
To manage human resources fairly and equally, there are clear labor practices that meet Thai labor standards. (TLS 8001-263) as well as other relevant international standards and requirements from trading partners. The practices focus on creating a culture of diversity within the organization. Besides, the company also affirms Zero Tolerances approach on illegal labor Against and all forms of harassment.
As part of its commitment on human rights, CP Foods implements policies and guidelines related to human rights and labour practices in order to tangibly demonstrate commitment to combating against violations.
CP Foods together with the Labour Protection Network Foundation (LPN) have driven the promotion of human rights within the organization through the signing of a memorandum of understanding for four consecutive years. This year, we still placed importance on promoting human rights with good labour practices in accordance with the principles, caring for employee health and safety, and organizing employee training which covered the labour right, law and regulations regarding occupational health along with continuing the “Labour Voices Hotline by LPN” project that ensured a neutral organization that listened to the voices of all employees.
Ms.Pimonrat explained that the hotline helps CP Foods to acknowledge employees’ problems or suggestions in order to align the Company’s measures with the principles of human rights in a timely manner. In addition, the cooperation with the LPN Foundation, which is a civil society organization that specializes in protecting and promoting the rights of foreign employees in the country, reinforces the commitment to promoting human rights and improving the quality of life of employees, which ensure that employees have equal access to the rights.
Also. the company visits migrant workers who had worked with CP Foods in Cambodia and using ecruitment agents that are approved by the governments in the countries of origin to undertake responsible and transparent recruitment process.
The company supports participation of employees of in applying for the position of the member of the Welfare Committee in the Workplace. The Welfare Committee in the Workplace is deemed another communication channel between employees and the Company, to raise awareness and respect for human rights and equalities. The Company increases the number of the Welfare Committee members from the legally required minimum of 5 to the legally allowed maximum of 17 at each workplace based on size, covering variety of jobs and demographics.
If the election results do not cover diverse and vulnerable groups as aforementioned, the Company shall make a comprehensive selection of sub-committees to represent employees in such groups.
The subcommittees are responsible for presenting their problems and suggestions to the Welfare Committee prior to meetings with the executives who represent the Company, enabling improvement of welfare for all employees equally.
Additionally, the company also organizes training to provide knowledge and work together with business partners and farmers to ensure that they have hired workers legally. This is to prevent human trafficking and reduce the risk of child labor in the food production chain.
Moreover, CP Foods has collaborated with labour right related agencies to establish the Songkhla’s Fishermen Life Enhancement Center (FLEC) since 2016 to improve the quality of life of migrant families in the fishing industry in Songkhla Province as well as supporting the children of migrant workers to have access to educational opportunities. From 2016 to 2021, the FLEC Center has helped more than 240 children of the workforce access basic education.
