Below are our guidelines for ethical trade.
Introduction
Bergen Port AS is a member of Ethical Trading Norway and strives to have a sustainable business practice that respects people, communities, and the environment.
Bergen Port AS considers sustainable business practices as a prerequisite for sustainable development. The UN Sustainable Development Goals are the world's common action plan for sustainable development, and Bergen Port AS actively works towards these goals.
Bergen Port AS is committed to actively engaging in due diligence for sustainable business practices. Due diligence is a risk-based approach to respecting and safeguarding people, communities, and the environment in our own operations and throughout the supply chain. We expect our suppliers and partners to follow the same approach.
Requirements for our own operations
Bergen Port AS acknowledges that our business practices may have potential negative impacts on people, communities, and the environment. At the same time, we recognize our potential to contribute to positive development in the supply chain. Based on this, we have established the following principles and requirements for our own operations:
Due diligence assessments
Bergen Port AS shall conduct due diligence for sustainable business practices. This means conducting our own risk assessments of negative impacts on people, communities, and the environment, and taking steps to stop, prevent, and reduce such impacts.
The effectiveness of these measures shall be monitored, evaluated, and communicated to the affected parties. Where our activities cause or contribute to negative impacts on people, communities, or the environment, we shall cease such activities and seek to restore the harm. If the supplier is responsible for the negative impact/harm, the supplier is also responsible for the restoration.
Responsible procurement practices
Bergen Port AS considers responsible procurement practices as one of our key tools in promoting sustainable business practices. Bergen Port AS shall adapt our own procurement practices to strengthen rather than undermine suppliers' ability to meet the requirements we set to ensure good conditions for people, communities, and the environment. We shall strive for long-term supplier relationships with suppliers who demonstrate a particular willingness and ability to work towards positive development in the supply chain. Freedom of association and worker representation Bergen Port AS supports the right to freedom of association and other forms of democratically elected worker representation.
Supplier development and partnerships
In dialogue with suppliers, we will consider providing relevant capacity building or resources to enable our suppliers to comply with Bergen Port AS's requirements for conditions in the supply chain. This way, we lay the foundation for good collaboration with suppliers who demonstrate a particular willingness and ability to work towards positive development for people, communities, and the environment in the supply chain.
Anti-corruption
Bergen Port AS, including all employees, shall never offer or accept illegal or improper payments or other benefits to obtain business or personal advantages for themselves or benefits for customers, agents, or suppliers.
Countries under trade boycotts
Bergen Port AS, including our suppliers and partners, shall avoid trading partners who have activities in countries subjected to trade boycotts by the UN and/or Norwegian authorities.
Requirements for conditions in the supply chain
We expect our suppliers and partners to work purposefully and systematically towards compliance with our supplier guidelines, including principles for sustainable business practices, covering fundamental requirements for human rights, workers' rights, anti-corruption, animal welfare, and the environment. Our suppliers shall:
- Follow supplier guidelines, including principles for sustainable business practices.
- Actively work on due diligence, which means conducting their own risk assessments of negative impacts on people, communities, and the environment, and taking steps to stop, prevent, and reduce such impacts. The measures must be monitored, evaluated, and communicated to the affected parties. Where the supplier is responsible for the negative impact/harm, the supplier is also responsible for restoration.
- Demonstrate willingness and ability to continuously improve conditions for people, communities, and the environment through collaboration.
- At the request of Bergen Port AS, they were able to document how they themselves, and possibly subcontractors, work to comply with the guidelines. If the supplier, after repeated inquiries, shows no willingness or ability to comply with the supplier guidelines, contract termination may occur.
Principles of Sustainable Business Practices (Code of Conduct)
These principles of sustainable business practices are based on UN and ILO conventions and establish minimum, not maximum, standards. Legislation at the place of production must be respected. Where national laws and regulations cover the same topics as these guidelines, the highest standard shall apply.
Forced labor/slavery
There shall be no form of forced labor, slavery, or involuntary labor.
Workers shall not be required to deposit funds or submit identity papers to the employer and shall be free to terminate the employment relationship with reasonable notice.
Trade unionization and collective bargaining
Workers shall have the right to join or establish trade unions of their own choosing, and to engage in collective bargaining without exception. Employers shall not interfere with, obstruct, or hinder trade unionization or collective bargaining.
Trade union representatives shall not be discriminated against or hindered from performing their trade union duties.
If the right to free association and/or collective bargaining is restricted by law, the employer shall facilitate, and not impede, alternative mechanisms for free and independent organization and negotiation.
Child labor
Child labor (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ILO Conventions No. 138, 182, and 79, ILO Recommendation No. 146)
The minimum age for workers shall not be less than 15 years, in accordance with national minimum age requirements for employment, or the minimum age for compulsory schooling, whichever is higher. If the local minimum age is set at 14 years in accordance with the exception in ILO Convention 138, this may be accepted.
The recruitment of child labor in violation of the aforementioned minimum age shall not take place.
Children under the age of 18 shall not perform work that is harmful to their health, safety, or morals, including night work.
Action plans for the prompt elimination of child labor that is contrary to ILO Conventions 138 and 182 shall be established. These action plans shall be documented and communicated to relevant personnel and other stakeholders. Support programs shall be provided to ensure that children have access to education until they are no longer of compulsory school age.
Discrimination
(ILO Conventions No. 100 and 111 and UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) There shall be no discrimination in employment, remuneration, training, promotion, termination, or retirement based on race, caste, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, trade union activity, or political affiliation.
Protection shall be established against sexually coercive, threatening, abusive, or exploitative behavior, as well as against discrimination or termination on unjustifiable grounds, such as marriage, pregnancy, parenthood, or HIV status.
Harsh treatment (Universal Declaration of Human Rights/UDHR)
Physical abuse or punishment, or the threat of physical abuse, is prohibited. The same applies to sexual or other forms of abuse and other forms of humiliation.
Health, environment, and safety
(ILO Convention No. 155 and Recommendation No. 164) Efforts shall be made to ensure that workers have a safe and healthy working environment. Hazardous chemicals and other substances shall be handled properly. Necessary measures shall be taken to prevent and minimize accidents and health hazards resulting from or related to workplace conditions.
Workers shall receive regular and documented training in health and safety. Health and safety training shall be repeated for new and reassigned workers.
Workers shall have access to clean sanitary facilities and clean drinking water. If relevant, the employer shall also provide facilities for the safe storage of food.
If the employer provides accommodation, it shall be clean, safe, adequately ventilated, and have access to clean sanitary facilities and clean drinking water.
Wages (ILO Convention No. 131)
Wages for workers for a regular working week shall be at least in accordance with national minimum wage regulations or industry standards, whichever is higher. Wages shall always be sufficient to meet basic needs, including some savings.
Wage terms and payment shall be established in a written agreement before work commences. The agreement shall be understandable to the worker. Deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure shall not be permitted.
Working hours
(ILO Conventions No. 1 and 14) Working hours shall comply with national laws or industry standards and shall not exceed the working hours set forth in relevant international conventions. The normal working hours per week shall generally not exceed 48 hours.
Workers shall have at least one day off per 7 days.
Overtime shall be limited and voluntary. The recommended maximum overtime is 12 hours per week, i.e., a total working time of 60 hours per week. Exceptions to this may be accepted if regulated by a collective agreement or national law.
Workers shall always receive overtime compensation for working hours exceeding normal working hours (see point 8.1 above), at least in accordance with applicable laws.
Regular employment
Commitments to workers, in accordance with international conventions, national laws, and regulations on regular employment, shall not be circumvented through the use of short-term engagements (such as the use of contract workers, casual labor, and daily workers), subcontractors, or other employment relationships.
All workers are entitled to an employment contract in a language they understand.
Apprenticeship programs shall be clearly defined in terms of duration and content.
Marginalized population groups
The production and use of natural resources shall not contribute to the destruction of the resource and income base of indigenous peoples or other marginalized population groups, such as by confiscating large land areas or engaging in irresponsible use of water or other natural resources on which these population groups depend.
Environment
Negative environmental impact shall be reduced throughout the value chain. In accordance with the precautionary principle, measures shall be taken to continuously minimize emissions of greenhouse gases and local pollution, the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides, and to ensure sustainable resource extraction and management of water, seas, forests, and land, and the preservation of biodiversity.
National and international environmental laws and regulations shall be complied with, and relevant discharge permits shall be obtained.
Corruption
All forms of bribery are unacceptable, such as the use of alternative channels to secure illegitimate private or work-related benefits for clients, agents, contractors, suppliers, or their employees, as well as public officials.
Animal welfare
Animal welfare shall be respected. Measures should be taken to minimize negative impact on the welfare of production and working animals. National and international animal welfare laws and regulations shall be complied with."