1. Introduction
As a family-owned company with a history of more than 160 years, parent company Heraeus commits to the principle of sustainability and the observance of universally recognized human rights. MO-SCI commits to treat its employees, including temporary hires and migrant workers, and all individuals in other types of employment relationships, with respect and dignity. MO-SCI also expects its customers and suppliers to respect the human rights of their employees. MO-SCI’s expectations towards its suppliers are laid down in the Heraeus Supply Chain Due Diligence Policy.
2. Human Rights Policy – Underlying Regulations
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
- International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the corresponding fundamental Conventions;
- UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;
- Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations for the Prevention of Human Rights Violations in Supply Chains (Germany);
- OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
3. Principles at MO-SCI
MO-SCI is committed to compliance with the following principles:
a. Prohibition of child labor
Children may not be employed below the minimum age for admission to employment permitted by applicable law.
The minimum age for admission to employment must not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, not less than 15 years, as set out in ILO Convention No. 138, or, where permitted under applicable local law, not less than 14 years.
aa. Hazardous work
MO-SCI does not tolerate the employment of minors below the age of 18 for hazardous work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm their health, safety, customs or lifestyles.
Where a minimum age of 16 years is permitted under local law for admission to employment in hazardous conditions, especially in connection with professional education, MO-SCI will tolerate the employment of minors only if the health, safety, customs and lifestyles of the minors involved are protected in every respect and the minors have received appropriate specific instructions or professional training in the corresponding field of activity.
bb. Worst forms of child labor
MO-SCI does not tolerate the worst forms of child labor.1
b. Prohibition of all forms of slavery and of forced labor
MO-SCI denounces, and does not tolerate, any form of forced labor as defined in ILO Convention No. 29, including slave labor, labor exacted under threat of penalty or involuntary labor. The employees’ freedom of movement must not be restricted in an inappropriate manner. Employees must always be free to terminate their employment relationship observing the agreed notice period. MO-SCI, and any of its agents or other third parties acting on behalf of MO-SCI, may not withhold, seize or destroy identity cards, passports, immigration documents or licenses of employees unless such withholding, seizure or destruction is required by applicable law. Employees must not be required to pay to MO-SCI, or any of its agents, recruitment fees or similar fees which, in aggregate, exceed one month’s salary.
c. Working hours
Working hours must not exceed the limits prescribed by applicable local law. Without prejudice to the provisions of local law, the weekly working time, including overtime, must not exceed 60 hours. Exceptions are only acceptable under extraordinary circumstances or in case of emergency. Employees are entitled to at least one free day per week.
d. Salary and social benefits
The salary and social benefits must be at least in accordance with the minimum legal standards applicable in the country where an employee performs work for MO-SCI. Overtime must at least be remunerated in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. MO-SCI employees are entitled to a conclusive and verifiable salary statement substantiating payment of the agreed salary by MO-SCI. Temporary hires may only be recruited in accordance with the provisions stipulated in the applicable laws and regulations.
e. Humane treatment of employees
Brutal or inhuman treatment of employees is prohibited. Moreover, harassment of any type, corporal punishment and mental or physical coercion are considered as inhuman treatment and will therefore not be tolerated.
f. Non-discrimination
Heraeus denounces, and does not tolerate, any form of discrimination, harassment, retaliation or prejudice (disadvantage) on grounds of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, gender, religious or philosophical belief, handicap, age or sexual identity, sexual expression, marital status, medical condition, and any other characteristic protected by countries where MO-SCI acts as employer.
In particular, MO-SCI does not tolerate any form of discrimination in the workplace in relation to hiring, remuneration, overtime, access to training, promotion, termination of employment and retirement.
g. Freedom of association and collective bargaining
Within the limits permitted by applicable mandatory law, all employees are free to set up or join trade unions or equivalent representative organizations and to exercise their right to collective bargaining.
h. Prohibition of the unlawful taking of land and the inappropriate use of security forces
MO-SCI denounces the unlawful taking of land and unlawful eviction. The use of private or public security forces is prohibited if, due to a lack of control, such use results in the inhumane treatment of employees, injury to life and limb or the impairment of the freedom of association and union.
i. Workplace safety
All employees, in particular managers, must comply with the mandatory rules and regulations on safety in the workplace and in employment so as to ensure overall safety. MO-SCI offers a working environment that allows employees to report inappropriate or unsafe working conditions to the MO-SCI management without fear of discrimination or retaliation.
4. Human rights due diligence in the precious metals supply chain (upstream and downstream)
MO-SCI reasonably ensures that the precious metals in its supply chain originate from legal and ethical sources, that the precious metals are not associated with crimes, armed conflicts, or human rights abuses, and that they will not be used for money laundering, financing terrorism, tax evasion, fraud or any other crime.
a. Objectives of human rights due diligence
Human rights due diligence at MO-SCI is an integral part of MO-SCI’s general due diligence process and its objective is:
- to identify and assess the risk of violation of human rights;
- to prevent and mitigate the negative impact of the detected risks if these risks are directly or indirectly linked to the activities of MO-SCI;
- to manage the negative impact of the detected risks if the impact derives from direct or indirect activities of MO-SCI.
b. Monitoring observance of human rights
In order to verify the observance of human rights by MO-SCI’s contracting partners in the precious metal supply chain, a due diligence process has been established at MO-SCI which includes, without limitation, the following measures:
aa. informing contracting partners of the applicable MO-SCI human rights policies;
bb. verification of the contracting partners’ compliance with local human rights laws by way of document analyses;
cc. performance of site visits (mines) and, if possible, of guided interviews with employees, to assess the employees’ work situation and workplace conditions unless independent third-party reports are available;
dd. provision of clarifying statements in the event of doubts and/or suspicions regarding the violation of human rights;
ee. refusal to enter into a new business relationship, or termination of an existing business relationship, if inacceptable violations are detected which cannot be resolved or corrected and which are inconsistent with the principles adopted by the Heraeus Group.
A more detailed description of the management system for the monitoring of suppliers and, in particular, of MO-SCI’s contracting partners in the precious metal supply chain is provided in the Heraeus Supply Chain Due Diligence Policy.
- See ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour.