Policy Statements
Human Rights Policy Statement
Respect for human rights is a core value of business for Degas Ltd and Degas Ghana Ltd. (“Group”). The Group believes that long-term business success can only be achieved if human rights are acknowledged and protected. The Group’s Human Rights Policy Statement sets out the fundamental principles embedded in our business operations and culture to ensure the Group does not engage in activities that directly or indirectly violate human rights. It is our corporate responsibility to uphold these principles throughout our entire organization. Additionally, the Group expects all stakeholders, including business partners, vendors and suppliers, to be aligned in upholding human rights globally.
Our approach to human rights is based on:
- The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
- The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- The International Labor Organization’s 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
- The Group’s Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing and overseeing corporate responsibility policies and programs.
The Human Rights Policy Statement demonstrates the Group’s commitment to supporting and promoting human rights that benefit all our stakeholders, including our customers, employees, shareholders, investors, and the communities in which we live and operate. The Group’s commitment is guided by the following seven principles:
1. Ethical Business Conduct
The Group is committed to the highest standards of business ethics which govern the conduct of the business operations for all officers and employees.
The Group requires all business on behalf of the Group to be conducted with honesty and integrity in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
2. Employee Rights and Fair Labor Practices
The Group believes each officer and employee deserve to be treated with integrity and respect. Therefore, the Group promotes a work environment of transparency and trust. The Group compensates the officers and employees competitively and operate in compliance with applicable wage, work hours, overtime and benefits laws and international labor standards.
3. Diversity and Inclusion
The Group supports and encourages diversity and inclusion within the business and the organizations with which the Group does business by maintaining workplaces that are free from discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, sex, color, national or social origin, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, political opinion or any other status protected by applicable law. The Group is committed to the protection of women’s rights. The Group is committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees, eliminating all discriminatory practices and promoting a work environment that is free from harassment, violence and intimidation.
4. Safe and Healthy Workplace
The Group’s policy is to provide and maintain a safe, healthy and productive workplace for all officers and employees that complies with all applicable laws, regulations and internal policies.
5. Forced Labor and Human Trafficking
The Group is committed to preventing and prohibiting forced labor of any kind, including all forms of modern-day slavery or human trafficking.
6. Child Labor
The Group does not engage in or condone the unlawful employment or exploitation of children.
7. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
The Group respects the principles of freedom of association and collective bargaining.
Established October 1, 2022
Degas Ltd. and Degas Ghana Ltd.
Anti-bribery and Corruption Policy Statement
In performing our respective duties, all officers and employees of Degas Ltd and Degas Ghana Ltd. (“Group”) shall comply with laws and regulations for preventing bribery and corruption, applicable in countries and regions where the Group performs businesses (“Anti-Corruption Laws”) according to the principles below.
The Anti-Corruption Laws include the Penal Code, the National Public Service Ethics Act, and the Unfair Competition Prevention Act (all in Japan), the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the U.S.) and the Bribery Act (the U.K.). The Group prohibits all officers and employees from offering and receiving any bribe because those acts cause suspicions or distrust from society.
No one shall conduct corrupt practices in any form, including embezzlement and obstruction of justice.
Each officer and employee shall fully understand the laws and regulations related to public officials or equivalent persons in Japan, Ghana and foreign countries. No one shall offer any entertainment or gift that may cause suspicions and distrust from society, nor any money or other benefits to profit illegally.
Whether inside or outside the country, no one shall receive any entertainment or gift beyond common sense and sound commercial custom from a supplier or business partner.
No one shall demand any supplier or business partner to offer private profit by exploiting its position or abusing its authority in the company.
Each company of the Group (“Company”) shall establish the necessary internal structure to comply with Anti-Corruption Laws inside and outside the country by setting auditing process, providing training, and stipulating relevant rules and procedures.
In addition, to eliminate any bribery and corrupt practices and ensure fair execution in the Group’s businesses, the Company shall ask the cooperation from its suppliers and business partners involved in the Group’s businesses to comply with Anti-Corruption Laws and understand the Group’s principles.
Established October 1, 2022
Degas Ltd. and Degas Ghana Ltd.