Code of conduct
1. Pallefkon and companies controlled by Pallefkon (collectively and individually “Pallefkon”) are committed to respecting the fundamental rights of workers recognized at international level. Pallefkon requires all Suppliers (the “Suppliers”), wherever they are based, to respect this code of conduct (the “Code”). The contents of this code represent Pallefkon's policy on social responsibility. The complete observance of the Code by the Suppliers is a basic condition for the creation and continuation of positive working relations with them.
2. Pallefkon requires all its Suppliers to respect the laws and regulations resulting from the Legislation and the content of the Code throughout the period of time they supply products and/or services to Pallefkon.
3. The minimum requirements established by the Code are the following:
3.1 EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS
3.1.1 Suppliers must not use or support child labour: no person below the age specified by National Legislation for completing compulsory schooling (and certainly no person under the age of 15) should be employed from any Supplier. If National Legislation provides for a minimum age of 14 years, subject to the exceptions provided for developing countries adhering to ILO Convention 138, the age of 14 years shall be observed.
3.2 COMPULSORY/FORCED LABOR & DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES
3.2.1 Suppliers shall not resort to or support compulsory/forced labour.
3.2.2 Suppliers shall not engage in any form of slavery.
3.2.3 No employee of any Supplier shall be subjected to physical disciplinary measures, physical or mental coercion, verbal violence.
3.3 WAGES, BONUSES AND WORKING HOURS
3.3.1 All salary levels of all categories of employees of the Suppliers shall not be lower than the minimums as provided by the National Legislation and by the Collective Agreements signed by the Suppliers with the trade unions representing their employees.
3.3.2 Temporary work should be voluntary, should not exceed the maximum limits as determined by National Legislation and should be paid according to the rates which should not be lower than those determined by National Legislation and from the Collective Agreements signed by the Suppliers with the trade unions representing their employees.
3.3.3 The maximum number of working hours for working employees of the Suppliers shall not exceed that determined by National Legislation.
3.3.4 Working employees of Suppliers should be given rest periods as determined by National Legislation.
3.3.5 The working employees of the Suppliers should be allowed to take annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, and any other form of leave as provided by National Legislation and, in case they are more beneficial to the employee, as provided by individual employment contracts and/or from Collective Agreements signed by the Suppliers with the trade unions representing their employees.
3.4 HEALTH & SAFETY
3.4.1 The working employees of the Suppliers must work in a healthy and safe working environment, in accordance with the parameters set by the National Legislation.
3.4.2 All health and safety services and equipment in all areas used by employees of all suppliers must comply with the parameters set by National Legislation and employees must be trained in their correct use.
3.4.3 The safety systems of the machines must be provided and used by the Suppliers and the parameters defined by the National Legislation must be observed and the workers must be trained for their correct use.
3.4.4 Suppliers shall have one or more suitable areas for meals. These areas should be in compliance with National Legislation.
3.4.5 All areas used by the Suppliers' employees shall comply with fire prevention regulations and be fitted with suitable and conspicuous safety exits. Workplaces should be ventilated, lit and have hygiene services in accordance, without exceptions, with National Legislation.
3.4.6 All premises used by the Suppliers' employees must comply with National Environmental Protection Legislation.
3.4.7 Employees of Suppliers shall have medical assistance available in the event of an emergency and employees responsible for providing medical assistance shall be trained in first aid procedures.
3.4.8 An emergency evacuation plan should be drawn up and regularly tested in all areas used by Suppliers.
3.5 DISCRIMINATIONS
3.5.1 No employee of any Supplier shall be subject to discrimination on any grounds relating to race, class, age, nationality, sex, disability, language, religion.
3.6 UNIONS
3.6.1 Employees employed by Suppliers are free to form trade unions recognized by National Legislation and to participate in them. Appointed representatives of these unions are free to submit bargaining proposals on issues related to workers' rights and working conditions, in the manner and to the extent provided for in the National Standards.
3.6.2 Trade unions recognized by National Legislation are free to enter into collective agreements on behalf of the workers they represent, in accordance with National Standards.
4. Pallefkon requires all its Suppliers to ensure that all their own suppliers respect the provisions of this Code.
5. Pallefkon may request any information it deems necessary, in its sole discretion, to assess its Suppliers' compliance with this Code. For this purpose, inspections may be carried out by Pallefkon staff or by independent auditing companies appointed by Pallefkon to act on its behalf, who should be able to have free access to the premises, facilities and be able to have confidential conversations with employees.
6. Any breach of this Code or the Supplier's refusal to implement any correction request made by Pallefkon constitutes and shall be deemed a fundamental breach of contract by the Supplier.
7. For the purposes of this Code all companies controlled by PallefkonPallefkon shall not be considered Suppliers, with the exception of any claim for compensation and assessment of damages.
8. Pallefkon will distribute to all its suppliers a copy of this code. All Suppliers are requested to have it translated into the local language, posted in factories and distributed to all employees who should be given all relevant information with this Code and its implementation.
