Friday, March 18, 2011

Hitachi's Code of Conduct - A another method to get justice for workers,...

Many companies and corporations are declaring to the world that they will and do respect human rights, worker rights,... and, that they also expect others who they have dealings with to also do the same, including suppliers. As an example, we look at the Hitachi Group Code of conduct, highlighting especially the parts relevant to worker rights and employment relationship.

A listing of Hitachi brand and group of companies in Malaysia bound by this code of conduct is listed below.. It is sad that I could not find a list of companies in Malaysia that are supplying to Hitachi, who will also be bound by this Code of Conduct. Maybe Hitachi should supply the list so that we can all help monitor these companies to ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct

To be more effective, maybe the Hitachi Group may want to put in place a mechanism of reporting and complaint that workers and others can use to bring to the notice of the Hitachi group of any non-compliance with their own Code of Conduct, so that they can act on it to ensure not just compliance but also to bring about an effective remedy to all affected by the non-compliance. It may not be sufficient to just  to sanction the errant company, but Hitachi must go further to ensure justice be done to those victims of non-compliance as well.

Code of Conduct

The Hitachi Group Codes of Conduct have been established as specific codes of conduct that apply to all companies of the Hitachi Group. Under the leadership of top management, we will thoroughly implement the Codes of Conduct to ensure that all our business activities are conducted on the basis of corporate ethics and compliance, in accordance with “Basics and Ethics.”

1.3 (3)  We will select suppliers appropriately and fairly. In selecting suppliers, in addition to considering the quality, reliability, delivery dates and prices of materials as well as the management stability and technological development strengths of the suppliers, we will also give due consideration to their fulfillment of social responsibility including fair and highly transparent information disclosure, observance of laws and social norms, respect of human rights, elimination of unfair discrimination concerning employment and workplaces, elimination of child labor and forced labor, environmental protection activities, social contribution activities, creation of pleasant workplaces, and sharing of awareness about social responsibility with business partner.

4.1 Promoting Respect of Human Rights

(1)We will respect international standards of conduct regarding human rights, and strive to ensure that we do not engage in any conduct that obstructs or interferes with human rights.

4.2 Eliminating Discrimination

(1)We will respect every person's character and individuality in the recruitment and treatment of employees, the conduct of commercial transactions, and all other company activities, and not engage in any acts that impair individual dignity or discriminate on the basis of sex, age, nationality, race, ethnicity, ideology, belief, religion, social status, family origin, disease, disability, etc.

4.3 Respect of Human Rights in Information Management

(1)We will establish information ethics based on consideration of human rights and the maintenance of security in information handling, to prevent in advance the emergence of problems from personal information leaks, computer viruses, and unauthorized access.

4.4 Respect of Basic Rights at Work

(1)We will advance employment with proper consideration for corporate social responsibility. We will hire employees in accordance with the governing domestic, foreign and local laws in each country and region. We will not use child labor that employs children below the minimum working age or coerced labor that is against the will of the workers.

(2)We will conduct procurement with proper consideration for corporate social responsibility, and will not procure goods or services from enterprises that utilize child labor or forced labor.

(3)Considering the laws and regulations and labor practices in each nation and region, and respecting the basic rights of employees presented as the principles of the United Nations Global Compact, we will strive to have employees and managers better understand each other's problems and resolve issues jointly through genuine and constructive dialogue. 

5.4 Arranging a Work Environment That Draws Out Employee Strengths

(1)We will comply with the relevant labor laws and regulations governing employment, personnel affairs, working conditions, wages and other employment terms, etc.

(2)We will respect the human rights of individual employees, and manage personnel records strictly with close attention to protecting personal information and privacy rights. We will absolutely refrain from any sort of sexual harassment or power harassment that violates human rights.

(3)We will strive to secure workplace safety based on the approach of giving priority to the protection of safety and health above all else.

(4)We will act to promote physical and mental health. We will give consideration not only to our own health, but also to the health of those around us.

(5)We will work to create workplaces where every individual employee can work with the sense that his or her work is worthwhile. We will support a work-life balance by realizing diverse working styles and using various types of vacation systems. We will also strive to create a workplace environment where employees can take leaves for pregnancy, childbirth, child-raising, and family nursing care as necessary.

(6)We will always strive to pursue self-improvement and make our best efforts so that we can manifest our greatest potential. Superiors will give their subordinates appropriate management, guidance, and training to extend their capabilities.

Enacted on August 5 , 2010


What is the Global Compact?

The United Nations Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

Human Rights

The first two principles of the UN Global Compact, which are derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are:
Human rights remains one of the most challenging areas of corporate citizenship. In part, this is because human rights have traditionally been the concern of states, and international human rights law has generally been addressed to them only. As more companies come to realize their legal, moral and/or commercial need to address human rights issues within their own operations and activities, they are confronted with a number of challenges. For example, there is the need to come to grips with the human rights framework and how a company’s own activities might relate to it. In addition, companies are often uncertain how to avoid complicity in human rights abuse and where the boundaries of their human rights responsibility lie.

Whatever one's stance in the ongoing business and human rights debate, it is clear that there is a keen demand for tools and guidance to help companies with their implementation efforts. The Global Compact Office hopes to bring more clarity to this debate by highlighting the relevance of human rights for business, demonstrating the business case for human rights, emphasizing practical solutions, and pointing to useful tools and guidance materials. Our goal is to show that advancing human rights is not just about managing risks and meeting standards and expectations, it is also about realizing new opportunities.

Labour
The Global Compact's labour principles are derived from the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998):
  • Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
  • Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
  • Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
  • Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.



Hitachi Brand and Group Companies in Malaysia


Hitachi Asia (M) Sdn Bhd
Suite 17.3, Level 17, Menara IMC, (Letter Box No.5), 
No.8, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 
50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Clarion (M) Sdn Bhd
Phase 3, Free Industrial Zone, 
11900, Bayan Lepas, 
Penang, Malaysia

Crystal Precision (M) Sdn Bhd
Phase 3, Free Industrial Zone, 
11900, Bayan Lepas, 
Penang, Malaysia

Hitachi Air Conditioning Products (M) Sdn. Bhd
Lot 10, Jalan Kemajuan, Bangi Industrial Estate, 
43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, 
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Hitachi Cable Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
Unit 1.1, Level 3, Blok C, The Mines Waterfront Business Park, 
No. 3, Jalan Tasik, The Mines Resort City, 
43300 Seri Kembangan, 
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Hitachi Cable (Johor) Sdn Bhd
Plot 40, Kawasan Perindustrian Senai, 
81400, Senai, 
Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia.

Hitachi Cable PS Techno (M) Sdn Bhd
PT. 111, Senawang Industrial Estate, 
70450 Seremban, 
Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus, Malaysia

Hitachi Chemical (Johor) Sdn Bhd
PLO 458, Jalan Keluli 10, 
81700 Pasir Gudang, 
Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

Hitachi Chemical (M) Sdn Bhd
Plot 501, Prai Industrial Estate, 
13600 Prai, Penang, Malaysia

Hitachi Construction Machinery (M) Sdn Bhd
Lot 7, Jalan SS 13/2, Subang Jaya Industrial Estate, 
47500 Petaling Jaya, 
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Hitachi Data Systems Sdn Bhd
B-10-1, Level 10, Tower B, Menara UOA Bangsar, 
No. 5, Jalan Bangsar Utama 1, 
59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hitachi Electronic Products (M) Sdn Bhd
Lot 12, Jalan Kemajuan, Bangi Industrial Estate, 
43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, 
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Hitachi Elevator Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd
Suite 2112, Level 21, Plaza Pengkalan, Jalan Tiong, 
3rd Mile, Off Jalan Ipoh, 
51100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Asia, Pte. Ltd.
2-26-B, NB Plaza 3000, Jalan Baru, 
13700 Prai, Penang, Malaysia

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Malaysia Sdn. Bhd
Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone, 
93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Hitachi High-Technologies IPC (M) Sdn Bhd
Letter Box No. 183, 33rd. Floor, UBN Tower, 
10 Jalan P. Ramlee, 
50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hitachi Industrial Equipment (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Lot 8, Jalan Solok Hishamuddin 6, 
Kawasan Perusahaan Selat Klang Utara, 
42000 Pelabuhan Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Hitachi International Treasury (M) Sdn Bhd
Suite 17.3, Level 17, Menara IMC, No.8, 
Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hitachi Koki (M) Sdn Bhd
Plo 53, Kawasan Perindustrian Senai (II), 
Karung Berkunci No.114, 81400 Senai, 
Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

Hitachi Sales (M) Sdn Bhd
Lot 12, Jalan Kemajuan, Bangi Industrial Estate,
43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, 
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Hitachi Transport System (M) Sdn Bhd
Lot 7, Jalan P/2, Bangi Industrial Estate, 
43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, 
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Maxell Tohshin (M) Sdn Bhd
Lot 1, Batu Berendam Free Trade Zone Phase III, 
Batu Berendam, 
75350 Melaka Darul Azim, Malaysia

MHPT Engineering Sdn Bhd
Lot 2.5.2, Level 2, PNB Darby Park (Retail), 
No. 10, Jalan Binjai, 
50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

MHPT Engineering Sdn Bhd (JB Office)
No.11, Jalan Impian Emas 6, Taman Impian Emas, 
81300 Skudai, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

 




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