1. THE WIDER COMMUNITY
Section 1.3 - Local Communities
Principles
1.3.P.1
The company recognizes its political and economic impact on
local communities especially where it is the principal or
key employer. Its programme, policies and practices help promote
a full range of human rights within each community where it
operates.
1.3.P.2
The company takes account of local culture in its decision-making
processes while not condoning cultural patterns, which denigrate
human beings on the basis of gender, class, racial/ethnic
origin, culture, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation,
caste, tribe or disability.
1.3.P.3
The company affirms the central importance of sustainability
for communities, in the present and the future, for the integrity
of human beings, culture, society, economic well being, environmental
responsibility and the way of life of the people.
1.3.P.4
The company respects the inclusive involvement of all stakeholders
in developing civil society partnerships and host community
agreements.
1.3.P.5
The company accepts the principle of prior engagement with
relevant non-governmental organisations and civil society.
Criteria
1.3.C.1
The company develops a policy statement that measures its
social, environmental and economic impact on local communities
affected by its operations.
1.3.C.2
The company, in consultation with the local community, establishes
a policy that incorporates into its business plan the best
interests of the community, both now and into the future.
1.3.C.3
The company evaluates all of its operations in the light of
community sustainability.
1.3.C.4
Respect is shown by the company for the local community, especially
with regard to water, land, air, food, energy, religion, gender
and culture.
1.3.C.5
Employees are encouraged to participate in local community
activities and organisations.
1.3.C.6
The company seeks to develop long-term business relationships
in local communities and does not terminate its operations
without assessing the long-term environmental, social, cultural
and economic sustainability impacts on the local community.
1.3.C.7
The company is careful of the impact of its power and influence
especially in its use of the local media and its advertising
strategies.
1.3.C.8
The company aspires to integrating the interests of all stakeholders
with that of its own business goals.
1.3.C.9
The company recognizes various stakeholder groups and establishes
an inclusive and exhaustive consultation process with them.
Bench Marks
1.3.B.1
Company decisions are made in accordance with the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
1.3.B.2
The company establishes a transparent process to gain the
informed consent of the community prior to establishing its
operations in that community.
1.3.B.3
The company establishes a consultative structure, including
a senior director and representatives of stakeholders identified
by local communities, society and its own workforce, which
meets on a regular basis to discuss the companyís business
goals in relation to community needs, including social and
environmental concerns.
1.3.B.4
The company develops specific indicators (such as on local
employment, natural resources, health, infrastructure, preservation
of cultural values) to measure how it contributes to community
sustainability and reports publicly.
1.3.B.5
The company reports in oral and written form, on its community
impact in a manner that is accessible to local communities
in the local language.
1.3.B.6
The company communicates to its shareholders and the public
any environmental liabilities by reflecting these liabilities
in its financial statements and balance sheet reporting.
1.3.B.7
The company makes available its returned, second-hand, and
reject goods and outlet samples through local independent
distributors.
1.3.B.8
The company has a plant closure policy, which provides transitional
arrangements for employees.