Thai Union Archives - SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine Insights on how you can protect the environment, maintain and increase the value of your company, through a structured CSR/Sustainability process with the use of the GRI Standards. Learn how Today's Best-Run Companies are achieving Economic, Social, and Environmental Success - and How You Can Too... Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:55:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 Case study: How Thai Union creates economic value for its stakeholders https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-thai-union-creates-economic-value-for-its-stakeholders/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:55:25 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=15242 Thai Union is the world’s seafood leader, bringing high quality, healthy, tasty and innovative seafood products to customers across the world for 45 years. Thai Union is committed to providing decent work and economic growth for communities and individuals throughout the world, generating sustainable economic value for all its stakeholders. This case study is based on the 2021 Sustainability Report by Thai Union, prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards, that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s […]

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]]> Thai Union is the world’s seafood leader, bringing high quality, healthy, tasty and innovative seafood products to customers across the world for 45 years. Thai Union is committed to providing decent work and economic growth for communities and individuals throughout the world, generating sustainable economic value for all its stakeholders.

This case study is based on the 2021 Sustainability Report by Thai Union, prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards, that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing. 

Delivering long-term value to all its stakeholders, is a top priority for Thai Union.  Tweet This! In order to create economic value for its stakeholders Thai Union took action to:

  • create economic value for employees
  • create economic value for creditors
  • create economic value for shareholders
  • create economic value for the state
  • create economic value for communities

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2021 Sustainability Report Thai Union identified a range of material issues, such as human rights, responsible sourcing, environmental protection, health & safety in the workplace. Among these, creating economic value for its stakeholders stands out as a key material issue for Thai Union.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process s of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Thai Union engages with:

Stakeholder Group
Investors
Suppliers
Customers
End-consumers
Employees
Migrant Workers
Communities
Government
NGOs
International organisations
Academia
Media

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Thai Union engaged with its stakeholders through a survey.

What actions were taken by Thai Union to create economic value for its stakeholders?

In its 2021 Sustainability Report Thai Union reports that it took the following actions for creating economic value for its stakeholders:

  • Creating economic value for employees
  • In 2021, Thai Union paid 12,971.13 million THB in employee expenses.
  • Creating economic value for creditors
  • In 2021, Thai Union paid 1,921.61 million THB in interest expenses.
  • Creating economic value for shareholders
  • In 2021, Thai Union paid 3,946.89 million THB in dividends.
  • Creating economic value for the state
  • In 2021, Thai Union paid 883.44 million THB in corporate income tax.
  • Creating economic value for communities
  • In 2021, Thai Union spent 68.32 million THB in community investments.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 201-1 Direct economic value generated and distributed

Disclosure 201-1 Direct economic value generated and distributed corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

This case study is based on published information by Thai Union, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.thaiunion.com/en/sustainability/report

Note to Thai Union: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Thai Union creates economic value for its stakeholders appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Thai Union promotes supply chain responsibility https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-thai-union-promotes-supply-chain-responsibility/ Fri, 28 Jun 2019 10:28:39 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=9785 As a global seafood leader with a dedication to sustainability and innovation, , recognising the importance of proactively addressing both emerging and ongoing issues in a dynamic business environment. This case study is based on the 2017 Sustainability Report by Thai Union published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing. Abstract Seeing its suppliers as […]

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]]> As a global seafood leader with a dedication to sustainability and innovation, Thai Union seeks to improve the transparency and operational practices of the entire seafood supply chain  Tweet This!, recognising the importance of proactively addressing both emerging and ongoing issues in a dynamic business environment.

This case study is based on the 2017 Sustainability Report by Thai Union published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Seeing its suppliers as partners, Thai Union supports and encourages them to meet the high standards that Thai Union’s customers and other stakeholders expect. In order to promote supply chain responsibility Thai Union took action to:

  • promote digital traceability
  • conduct supplier assessments
  • enhance social compliance

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2017 Sustainability Report Thai Union identified a range of material issues, such as ocean plastic, human rights and ethical labour practices, climate change and environmental protection, transparency and governance. Among these, promoting supply chain responsibility stands out as a key material issue for Thai Union.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The organization should identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Thai Union engages with:   

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Thai Union management

 

 

 ·      Online consultation

·      Tailored strategy presentation

·      Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·      Events (internal, external)

·      Microsite
Thai Union staff ·      Online consultation

·      Tailored strategy presentation

·      Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·      Events (internal, external)

·      Microsite
Thai Union legal staff

 

 

 ·      Online consultation

·      Tailored strategy presentation

·      Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·      Events (internal, external)

·      Microsite
Consumers

 

 ·      Microsite

·      Corporate sustainability campaign
Customers

 

 ·      Online consultation

·      Tailored strategy presentation

·      Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·      Trainings (sales teams)

·      Site visits

·      Events (internal, external)

·      Microsite
Industry associations/lobbyists ·      Online consultation

·      Tailored strategy presentation

·      Microsite
International organisations (UN, Interpol, etc.) ·      Online consultation

·      Tailored strategy presentation

·      Site visits

·      Events (internal, external)

·      Microsite
NGOs/foundations ·      Online consultation

·      Tailored strategy presentation

·      Site visits

·      Microsite
Policy makers/regulators ·      Online consultation

·      Tailored strategy presentation

·      Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·      Site visits

·      Events (internal, external)

·      Microsite
Shareholders/investors ·      Online consultation

·      Tailored strategy presentation (personalised emails & letters)

·      Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·      Trainings (investor relations team)

·      Site visits

·      Microsite
Suppliers ·      Online consultation

·      Trainings

·      Microsite
Think tanks ·      Online consultation

·      Tailored strategy presentation

·      Microsite

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Thai Union conducted face-to-face meetings with key stakeholders, who included governments, customers, consumers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society, along with staff and research institutions.

What actions were taken by Thai Union to promote supply chain responsibility?

In its 2017 Sustainability Report Thai Union reports that it took the following actions for promoting supply chain responsibility:

  • Promoting digital traceability
  • Thai Union’s custom-built traceability system, Trax, provides the company with digital data management tools to not only run its global operations efficiently, but also to facilitate the functionality of can trackers on its brands’ products around the globe. In 2017, Trax was expanded to cover more Thai Union facilities and supply chains, as the Trax digital mapping system provides better visibility into Thai Union’s supply chain, helping Thai Union carry out an effective risk analysis.
  • Conducting supplier assessments
  • Since launching its updated Business Ethics and Labor Code of Conduct in 2015, Thai Union started formalising a supplier approval process. This helps ensure Thai Union procures from qualified suppliers that meet its procurement criteria, including environmental, social, legal compliance and governance aspects. Thai Union evaluates suppliers against its procurement criteria at all stages of the procurement cycle, including prospective and existing suppliers. All prospective and contracted suppliers must acknowledge and sign Thai Union’s Business Ethics and Labor Code of Conduct and, in Thailand, prospective suppliers will be pre-assessed to determine whether they meet Thai Union’s requirements, by completing a one-time Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Those that pass the SAQ are confirmed as approved suppliers, and procurement can begin. In addition, a local purchasing committee will evaluate suppliers and determine their ratings on a rolling basis. Suppliers identified as high-risk – especially those associated with environmental, social and governance issues – will receive a third-party audit, to verify their ability to meet Thai Union’s Business Ethics and Labor Code of Conduct. High-risk suppliers that do not pass the audit have an opportunity to undergo a supplier performance improvement programme, to meet Thai Union’s compliance requirements. If, at the end of the programme, the gaps are closed, procurement can resume, but if the gaps remain, procurement is discontinued. All Thai Union contracted suppliers globally are subject to internal or third-party audits, at any point during the procurement cycle – not just the ones with a high-risk profile. Thai Union randomly selects a percentage of its suppliers to confirm their capacity to strictly follow its Business Ethics and Labor Code of Conduct, to help avoid non-compliance. Additionally, in Thailand in 2017, SGS trained Thai Union’s auditors on social compliance with its standards and Thai labour laws, and provided announced social audits for 10 percent of Thai Union’s non-fish procurement supply base.
  • Enhancing social compliance
  • In 2017 Thai Union embarked on a large-scale programme to audit, improve and enhance social compliance within the shrimp supply chain in Thailand. The project will complement the increase in certified farms by raising the social standards of non-certified farms to Best Aquaculture Practice (BAP) equivalence, with a focus on compliance with both local and importing-country regulatory requirements. Rolled out digitally in 2018, the programme will improve not only Thai Union’s supply chain but also the lives of farmers and fishers working in the Thai shrimp supply chain.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 409-1 Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor

2) Disclosure 414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria

 

Disclosure 409-1 Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • Business theme: Elimination of forced or compulsory labor

Disclosure 414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Business theme: Workplace violence and harassment
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • Business theme: Labor practices in the supply chain
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Workplace violence and harassment

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Thai Union, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) http://www.fbrh.co.uk/en/global-reporting-initiative-gri-g4-guidelines-download-page

3) https://g4.globalreporting.org/Pages/default.aspx

4) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Thai Union: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Thai Union promotes supply chain responsibility appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Thai Union is improving the energy efficiency of its facilities https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-thai-union-is-improving-the-energy-efficiency-of-its-facilities/ Tue, 09 Oct 2018 06:26:55 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=8069 As a global seafood leader dedicated to innovation and sustainability, with brands across North America, Europe and Asia and the Pacific, , reducing its GHG emissions. This case study is based on the 2017 Sustainability Report by Thai Union published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing. Abstract Abstract For Thai Union, measuring and effectively managing […]

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]]>

As a global seafood leader dedicated to innovation and sustainability, with brands across North America, Europe and Asia and the Pacific, Thai Union recognises the serious impact of greenhouse gases (GHG) on climate change and global warming and is committed to operating responsibly  Tweet This!, reducing its GHG emissions.

This case study is based on the 2017 Sustainability Report by Thai Union published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Layout 1

Abstract

For Thai Union, measuring and effectively managing the energy consumption and efficiency of the factories it operates, is a key priority. In order to improve the energy efficiency of its facilities Thai Union took action to:

  • reduce coal consumption
  • reduce electrical consumption
  • reduce CO2 consumption

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2017 Sustainability Report Thai Union identified a range of material issues, such as ocean plastic, human rights and ethical labour practices, responsible sourcing, transparency and governance, innovation and product responsibility. Among these, improving the energy efficiency of its facilities stands out as a key material issue for Thai Union.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The organization should identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Thai Union engages with:   

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Thai Union management

 

 

 ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·         Events (internal, external)

·         Microsite
Thai Union staff ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·         Events (internal, external)

·         Microsite
Thai Union legal staff

 

 

 ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·         Events (internal, external)

·         Microsite
Consumers

 

 ·         Microsite

·         Corporate sustainability campaign
Customers

 

 ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·         Trainings (sales teams)

·         Site visits

·         Events (internal, external)

·         Microsite
Industry associations/lobbyists ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Microsite
International organisations (UN, Interpol, etc.) ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Site visits

·         Events (internal, external)

·         Microsite
NGOs/foundations ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Site visits

·         Microsite
Policy makers/regulators ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·         Site visits

·         Events (internal, external)

·         Microsite
Shareholders/investors ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation (personalised emails & letters)

·         Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·         Trainings (investor relations team)

·         Site visits

·         Microsite
Suppliers ·         Online consultation

·         Trainings

·         Microsite
Think tanks ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Microsite

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

In 2017, to assess and prioritise material topics, Thai Union carried out face-to-face meetings with key stakeholders, including governments, customers, consumers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society, along with staff and research institutions.

What actions were taken by Thai Union to improve the energy efficiency of its facilities?

In its 2017 Sustainability Report Thai Union reports that it took the following actions for improving the energy efficiency of its facilities:

  • Reducing coal consumption
  • Thai Union managed to reduce coal consumption at Thai Union Factory and Thai Union Seafood, by reducing and optimising the pressure of steam production. This can reduce yearly coal consumption by approximately 1,342 tons, bunker oil by 370,851.22 liters and costs by 10,363,462.77 Thai Baht.
  • Reducing electrical consumption
  • Thai Union utilised methane from a biogas wastewater treatment plant to generate electricity at Thai Union Manufacturing, thereby reducing the electrical cost by over 9 million Thai Baht per year. In addition, at Songkla Canning, Thai Union reduced electricity consumption in the refrigerant system by installing small compressors (132 kW) instead of big compressors (300 kW) in the anteroom, air lock room and ice making machines. This will save approximately 2.2 million Thai Baht per year, with an internal return rate of 1.35 years.
  • Reducing CO2 consumption
  • At Pakfood Company (Okeanos Food) and Thai Union Factory, Thai Union managed to reduce its CO2 consumption per ton of production in the flash freezing process by 12,680.21 tons or 54%, compared to 2016. This also saved Thai Union 19.4 million Thai Baht in 2017.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization

2) Disclosure 302-3 Energy intensity

3) Disclosure 302-4 Reduction of energy consumption

4) Disclosure 305-5 Reduction of GHG emissions

 

Disclosure 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization corresponds to:

Disclosure 302-3 Energy intensity corresponds to:

Disclosure 302-4 Reduction of energy consumption corresponds to:

Disclosure 305-5 Reduction of GHG emissions corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  • Business theme: GHG emissions
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
  • Business theme: Ocean acidification
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
  • Business theme: Forest degradation

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Thai Union, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) http://www.fbrh.co.uk/en/global-reporting-initiative-gri-g4-guidelines-download-page

3) https://g4.globalreporting.org/Pages/default.aspx

4) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Thai Union: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Thai Union is improving the energy efficiency of its facilities appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Thai Union promotes ethical labour practices in the global seafood industry https://sustaincase.com/case-study-thai-union-promotes-ethical-labor-practices-global-seafood-industry/ Mon, 30 Oct 2017 08:54:53 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=5288 Recognizing that consumers across the globe increasingly expect companies to show respect for human rights throughout their supply chains, and that the global seafood industry faces challenges such as human trafficking and human rights abuses, Thai Union is committed to promoting safe and legal labour practices across its operations and supply chains. This case study is based on the 2016 Sustainability Report by Thai Union published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate that CSR/ sustainability reporting done responsibly is achieved by identifying a company’s most […]

The post Case study: How Thai Union promotes ethical labour practices in the global seafood industry appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Recognizing that consumers across the globe increasingly expect companies to show respect for human rights throughout their supply chains, and that the global seafood industry faces challenges such as human trafficking and human rights abuses, Thai Union is committed to promoting safe and legal labour practices across its operations and supply chains.

This case study is based on the 2016 Sustainability Report by Thai Union published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate that CSR/ sustainability reporting done responsibly is achieved by identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment and stakeholders and by measuring, managing and changing. Layout 1

Abstract

As a global seafood leader, Thai Union strives to implement positive change across the global seafood industry  Tweet This! – which faces challenges like labour exploitation –, making sure safe and legal employment is provided in Thai Union’s facilities and supply chains. In order to promote ethical labour practices in the global seafood industry Thai Union took action to:

  • implement a Business Ethics and Labor Code of Conduct
  • establish a Human Rights Due Diligence process
  • apply a supplier approval procedure
  • introduce an ethical migrant worker recruitment policy

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2016 Sustainability Report Thai Union identified a range of material issues, such as climate change and environmental protection, responsible sourcing, transparency and governance, innovation and product responsibility. Among these, promoting ethical labour practices in the global seafood industry stands out as a key material issue for Thai Union.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The organization should identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Thai Union engages with:   

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Thai Union management

 

 

 ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·         Events (internal, external)

·         Microsite
Thai Union staff ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·         Events (internal, external)

·         Microsite
Thai Union legal staff

 

 

 ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·         Events (internal, external)

·         Microsite
Consumers

 

 ·         Microsite

·         Corporate sustainability campaign
Customers

 

 ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·         Trainings (sales teams)

·         Site visits

·         Events (internal, external)

·         Microsite
Industry associations/lobbyists ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Microsite
International organizations (UN, Interpol, etc.) ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Site visits

·         Events (internal, external)

·         Microsite
NGOs/foundations ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Site visits

·         Microsite
Policy makers/regulators ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·         Site visits

·         Events (internal, external)

·         Microsite
Shareholders/investors ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation (personalized emails & letters)

·         Reporting (e.g. newsletter, emails)

·         Trainings (investor relations team)

·         Microsite
Suppliers ·         Online consultation

·         Trainings

·         Microsite
Think tanks ·         Online consultation

·         Tailored strategy presentation

·         Microsite

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To assess and prioritize key material issues and identify suitable responses Thai Union engaged with external stakeholders and, also, implemented a global program with the company’s internal stakeholders.

What actions were taken by Thai Union to promote ethical labour practices in the global seafood industry?

In its 2016 Sustainability Report Thai Union reports that it took the following actions for promoting ethical labour practices in the global seafood industry:

  • Implementing a Business Ethics and Labor Code of Conduct
  • Thai Union’s Business Ethics and Labor Code of Conduct strictly prohibits any labour or human rights abuses in the company’s and its suppliers’ supply chains. The Business Ethics and Labor Code of Conduct is available on Thai Union’s corporate website, in 19 languages. All Thai Union suppliers are required to sign an acknowledgement of the Code.
  • Establishing a Human Rights Due Diligence process
  • To identify, manage and mitigate possible human rights risks and/or impacts in its fisheries supply chain Thai Union implemented, in 2015, a Human Rights Due Diligence process, which in 2016 included the company’s packaging, shrimp and food ingredients supply chains.
  • Applying a supplier approval procedure
  • All potential Thai Union suppliers are pre-assessed on the basis of a social compliance Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Only suppliers who pass the pre-assessment will be able to do business with Thai Union. Those who fail may take part in a supplier performance improvement program, so as to improve their practices to meet Thai Union’s social compliance standards.
  • Introducing an ethical migrant worker recruitment policy
  • As migrant workers often suffer various forms of abuse and exploitation, Thai Union introduced and implemented, in 2016, an ethical migrant worker recruitment policy and an identification process of high-risk areas regarding human rights abuses, to protect migrant workers’ human rights and provide them with a safe and healthy work environment.

Which GRI indicators/Standards have been addressed?

The GRI indicators/Standards addressed in this case are:

1) G4-LA14: Percentage of new suppliers that were screened using labor practices criteria – the updated GRI Standard is: Disclosure 414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria

2) G4-HR1: Total number and percentage of significant investment agreements and contracts that include human rights clauses or that underwent human rights screening – the updated GRI Standard is: Disclosure 412-3 Significant investment agreements and contracts that include human rights clauses or that underwent human rights screening

3) G4-HR6: Operations and suppliers identified as having significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor, and measures to contribute to the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor – the updated GRI Standard is: Disclosure 409-1 Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor

4) G4-HR10: Percentage of new suppliers that were screened using human rights criteria – the updated GRI Standard is: Disclosure 414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria

 

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References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Thai Union, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) http://www.fbrh.co.uk/en/global-reporting-initiative-gri-g4-guidelines-download-page

3) https://g4.globalreporting.org/Pages/default.aspx

4) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

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