CPF joins forces with Minister of Labor to build sustainable Human Rights management

Friday 29 June 2018 16:55
Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) in cooperation with Minister of Labor have jointly hosted a training entitled CPF Capacity Building for Partnership 2018 as part of the company's mission to build sustainable supply chain management through increasing awareness on human rights and develop good labor practices together with its trading partners.

The seminar has focused on human rights and good labor practices in the area of occupational health, safety and environmental management. Suppliers will learn the importance of developing the business that meet global demand as well as best practices to improve occupational health and safety from Department of Labor Protection and Welfare's and Thailand Institute of Occupational Safety and Health's experts.

Mr. Kittipong Laonipon, Deputy Director General of Department of Labor Protection and Welfare, said the government has a clear policy to protect workforce under human rights principle and international standards in response to regulations, policies and global trend such as Trafficking in Person (Trip Report) and Illegal Unreported Unregulated Fishing (IUU).

The government's intention is to ensure that all labors have received fair treatments and working in the safe environment. The department has encouraged private sector to conduct responsible workforce management in line with Thai Labor Standard and Sustainable Development Guidelines, Good Labor Practices (GLP).

"It is vital for the private company to improve all workers' quality of life and occupational safety as well as improving the efficiency of traceability system and law enforcement" said Mr.Kittipong.

Mr.Wuthichai Sithipreedanant, Senior Vice President – Social Responsibility and Sustainability Development of CPF, said the company always supports its partners to conduct responsible and sustainable business. CPF also launched the Sustainable Sourcing Policy to enhance its suppliers to undertake any kinds of international labor standards as well as environment. It aimed to ensure that those the partners able to survive in the fast-changing business environment.

Sharing and learning the best practices with supplier is CPF's top priority. The company have been working with its partners to develop and implement traceability system.

"The company wants to grow together with suppliers by sharing knowledge, experiences and technology which they jointly learn and develop the best practices together. This learning process is leading us to improved competitive capacity" he said.

CPF has implemented sustainable sourcing policy that cover four main areas including product and service, people, process and performance.

Since 2017, the company has been conducting Supplier Sustainability Audit which expects to be completed in 2020. As of now, the company has complete 27% of the audit process.

"Sustainable policy and practice for CPF's suppliers will boost the public confidence in CPF' business. We believe that the company will grow sustainably in global arena if we grow together with our partners," Mr. Wuthichai said, adding that "It is critical for the company to operate our business with responsibility."

Mr. Chaithana Chaimongkol, Director of Thailand Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Labor, said it is an important agenda to encourage manufacturers concentrate on safety, health and environment to reduce accidents of labors during working hours. The institute has provided knowledge as well as increased collaboration among private sectors and their stakeholders to focus more on this issue. They should establish safety management system throughout supply chain. The collaboration to jointly undertake the practices will ensure business stability and sustainability.