CODE OF ETHICS AND DECLARATION OF INTENT  (Companies, Bodies and Profit-making agencies)

The commitment entered into by the signatories of this Code of Ethics, which is open to all profit-making legal persons seeking to act to honour basic human and civil rights, is that of being peace makers whilst engaged in business and economic activities with the aim of fostering a fairer and more humane society. To be a peace maker whilst engaged in business and economic activities is to state that compliance with the law and to a greater extent with ethical principles forms the basis for the proper management of any activity, the purpose of which must, in the final analysis, be to contribute to the good of humanity as well as to make a fair profit. Profit should be the result and the fair consequence of proper management of a professional economic activity, not the sole motive or purpose of a business; profit should not be made at any cost, including endangering other people’s health or abusing their good faith. In particular, they consider that where greater compliance with basic rights is concerned, it is crucial to: 

– ensure the quality of the working environment and any restructuring and upgrading of plant in line with standards on pollution and environmental protection;

– promote reorganisation of human resources to safeguard the health and consistent remuneration of contract staff and employees and the use of legal labour thereby encouraging assessment and reassessment and respect for workers’ rights;

– generate a supply of goods and services of sufficiently high quality to ensure clients’ and consumers’ safety and satisfaction. The signatories to this Code therefore declare their commitment in their field to honour the ten principles of the United Nations ‘Global Compact’ set out below relating to human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption:

HUMAN RIGHTS 

– Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights within their sphere of influence;

– Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

LABOUR STANDARDS 

– 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;

– Principle 6: eliminate discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

ENVIRONMENT

– Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;

– Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility;

– Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

 ANTI-CORRUPTION 

–  Principle 10: Businesses should work against all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery.

DECLARATION OF INTENT 

The signatory of this Code________________________________________________ in his/her capacity (Chairman – responsible person – legal representative) of________________________________________________ declares furthermore to undertake to: – at least once a year, make a clear, public statement expressing support for the Global Compact and its Ten Principles in the manner it deems most appropriate; – play an active role in the “United Peacers – The world Community for a New Humanism” by publicizing and encouraging participation in its own spheres of influence including by organizing at least one specific event a year celebrating basic human rights.