This Members Code of Conduct (CoC) outlines the minimum standards that Business Call to Action expects its member companies to comply with (in their overall operations, and particularly in their inclusive business initiatives), when joining the BCtA platform in addition to observing all laws and regulations governing their activities.
Management Systems
Member companies shall have appropriate management systems in place to enable adherence to this CoC or its own equivalent code of conduct, whichever is stricter, as well as all other relevant and applicable laws and regulations. The functioning and quality of the management system shall be in proportion to the size, complexity and risk environment of the company’s business. Companies shall have in place a systematic approach to the assessment, mitigation and management of risks related to human and labour rights, occupational health and safety, social, environmental and governance issues (hereafter referred to as ESG issues) across its operations and supply chain.
Human and labour rights
Member companies shall:
Respect human rights and not be complicit in human rights violations within their sphere of influence.
Have in place adequate remedial mechanisms in case of any human rights violations.
Not employ any workers below 15 years or the minimum age according to national legislation, whichever is higher (in line with the ILO Convention 138 on child labour)
Ensure that employing young people above minimum age but under 18 years does not jeopardize their education, health, safety or morals
Fully recognize employees’ right to organize, belong to a union and bargain collectively
Not use any forms of involuntary labour
Not discriminate against any worker
Treat all employees fairly and respectfully
Pay employees at least the minimum wage and applicable overtime wages defined by national laws or any applicable collective agreements
Apply normal working hours that comply with applicable law and collective agreements
Provide all employees with at least one rest day in seven consecutive working days unless regulated otherwise by applicable laws
Fulfil all applicable legal occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements
Environmental impact
Member companies shall:
Respect and protect the environment
Fulfil all environmental requirements defined in relevant laws, regulations and environmental permits
Have in place mitigation and management systems to address environmental issues within the company, identifying and adopting suitable preventive and corrective measures to protect the environment
Governance
Member companies shall:
Conduct business in full compliance with all applicable antitrust and fair competition laws
Act in compliance with all applicable anti-corruption laws, by, among other things, refusing to receive or offer bribes, facilitation payments or anything of value for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or any improper benefit or advantage
Act in compliance with all rules and regulations related to the safety and quality requirements of products and services
Transparently and accurately record and disclose details of its business activities, corporate structure, financial situation and performance in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Enforcement
If BCtA finds that member companies do not meet the requirements and expectations set out in this CoC, BCtA will offer guidance specifying which issues need to be corrected or improved, and/or terminate the company’s membership in BCtA’s platform
