Vestnes Ocean AS

Vestnes Ocean’s Supplier Code of Conduct defines the principles that all suppliers working with Vestnes Ocean must comply with. This is part of our approach to sustainable development.

Based on recognised international standards, the Guiding Principles of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations (UNO) and the eight core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), these guidelines reflect our expectations on occupational safety and health, ethics, human rights and working conditions.

By signing Vestnes Ocean’s guidelines for suppliers, the supplier accepts the terms of these regulations without reservation and is obliged against Vestnes Ocean AS to comply with these.

Vestnes Ocean’s principles for sustainable business practices are based on UN and ILO conventions and set minimum, not maximum, standards. The legislation at the place of production must be respected. Where national laws and regulations cover the same subject as these guidelines, the highest standard shall apply.

Forced labour/slave labour (ILO Conventions Nos. 29 and 105)

There shall be no form of forced labour, slave labour or involuntary labour.

Workers shall not be required to submit deposits or identity papers to the employer and shall be free to terminate the employment relationship with a reasonable period of notice.

Trade unions and collective bargaining (ILO Conventions Nos. 87, 98, 135 and 154)

Workers, without exception, should have the right to join or establish unions of their choice and to bargain collectively. The employer shall not interfere with, obstruct or oppose trade unions or collective bargaining.

Trade union representatives shall not be discriminated against or prevented from carrying out their trade union work.

If the right to free organisation and/or collective bargaining is restricted by law, the employer shall facilitate, and not hinder, alternative mechanisms for free and independent organisation and bargaining.

Brutal 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 abuse and other forms of humiliation.

Discrimination (ILO Conventions Nos. 100 and 111 and the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women)

There shall be no discrimination regarding employment, remuneration, training, promotion, dismissal or retirement based on ethnicity, caste, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, trade union work or political affiliation.

Protection must be established against sexually intrusive, threatening, insulting or exploitative behaviour, and against discrimination or dismissal on unjustified grounds, e.g. marriage, pregnancy, parenthood or status as HIV-infected.

Child labour (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ILO Conventions Nos. 138, 182 and 79, ILO Recommendation No. 146)

The minimum age for workers shall not be less than 15 years and in line with 5.1.1. the national minimum age for employment, or 5.1.2. Minimum age for compulsory schooling, with the highest age as applicable. If the local minimum age is set at 14 years in line with the exemption in ILO Convention 138, this can be accepted. New recruitment of child labourers in violation of the above-mentioned 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 will be established for the early phasing out of child labour that conflicts with ILO Conventions 138 and 182. The action plans must be documented and communicated to relevant staff and other stakeholders. Support schemes will be facilitated where children are given the opportunity to get an education until the child is no longer of compulsory school age.

Health, safety and the environment (ILO Convention No. 155 and Recommendation No. 164)

Efforts will be made to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for workers. Hazardous chemicals and other substances must be handled responsibly. Necessary measures shall be taken to prevent and minimise accidents and damage to health because of, or related to, conditions in the workplace.

Workers must receive regular and documented health and safety training. Health and safety training will be repeated for new hires and redeployed workers.

Workers must have access to clean sanitary facilities and clean drinking water. If relevant, the employer shall also provide access to facilities for the safe storage of food.

If the employer provides accommodation, this must be clean, safe, adequately ventilated and with access to clean sanitary facilities and clean drinking water.

Wages (ILO Convention No. 131)

Wages for workers for a normal working week must be at least in line with national minimum wage regulations or industry standards, whichever is higher. Salary should always be sufficient to cover basic needs, including some savings.

Salary conditions and payment of wages must be agreed in writing before work begins. The agreement must be understandable to the worker.

Deductions from salary as a disciplinary sanction are not permitted.

Working time (ILO Conventions Nos. 1 and 14)

Working hours must be in accordance with national laws or industry standards and not exceed working hours in accordance with applicable international conventions. Normal working hours per week should normally not exceed 48 hours.

Workers should have at least one day off per 7 days.

Overtime should 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 it is regulated by a collective agreement or national law.

Workers must always receive an overtime supplement for working hours above normal working hours, at least in line with applicable laws.

Marginalized population groups

The production and use of natural resources must not contribute to destroying the resource and income base for indigenous people or other marginalised population groups, for example by seizing large areas of land, irresponsible use of water or other natural resources on which the population groups depend.

Environment

Negative environmental impact will be reduced throughout the value chain. In line with the precautionary principle, measures will be implemented to continuously minimise greenhouse gas emissions and local pollution, the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides and to ensure sustainable resource extraction and management of water, seas, forests and land, and the conservation of biodiversity.

National and international environmental legislation and regulations must be complied with, and relevant discharge permits must be obtained.

Corruption

All forms of bribery are unacceptable, such as the use of alternative channels to secure illegitimate private or work-related benefits to customers, agents, contractors, suppliers or their employees, as well as public officials/women.