Policy for human rights

Purpose

Lerøy Seafood Group (Lerøy) has a goal to be the leading and most profitable global supplier of sustainable high-quality seafood. In their efforts to achieve this goal, Lerøy is mindful of their social responsibility, and aims to combine sound business management with clear responsibility for society and the environment. 

Lerøy shall contribute positively and constructively by influencing work on human rights, prevention of child labour and protection of labour rights, both within the Group, and in relation to suppliers, subcontractors and trading partners.

Human rights are an integral part of Lerøy’s Code of Conduct, which is obligatory for all employees. Contracts with suppliers and subcontractors shall include requirements for compliance with the relevant sections of Lerøy's Code of Conduct. As part of its improvement measures to achieve a responsible supplier chain, Lerøy has established a system to ensure systematic audits and follow-up of suppliers.

Regular employment

Obligations in relation to the employees, in line with international conventions and/or national legislation and regulations regarding regular employment shall not be evaded via utilisation of short-term positions (such as use of contract workers, casual workers and day workers), subcontractors or other employment relationships. 

All employees are entitled to an employment contract in a language they understand. The apprenticeship programme shall be clearly defined in terms of duration and content.

Child and youth labour

Children under the age of 18 shall not perform work that represents a health or safety hazard, including night shifts. 

Children under the age of 15 shall, as a main rule, not be employed. In special circumstances, such as local/traditional factors, exemptions can be made down to the age of 13.

Apprentices complete those assignments and follow the working hours specified for the company at any given time.

Guidelines for work performed by children shall be followed.

Salary 

Salaries paid to employees shall as a minimum comply with the national provisions regarding minimum wage or the industry standard, and shall always be sufficient to cover basic needs.  

Payroll conditions and payment of salary shall be agreed upon in writing before employment starts. This agreement shall be in a format which the employee can understand. Disciplinary deductions from salary are not permitted. 

Working hours

Working hours shall comply with national legislation and shall be in accordance with prevailing international conventions. 

Trade unions and collective bargaining

Without exception, employees shall be entitled to join or establish trade unions according to their free will and to bargain collectively. The employer shall not discriminate against trade union representatives or prevent them from performing their duties for the trade union. Should this entitlement be limited by law, the employer shall facilitate for and not at any time prevent parallel mechanisms for free and independent organisation and bargaining.

Forced labour

All forms of forced labour, slave labour or involuntary labour are strictly prohibited.

Employees shall not be obliged to submit a monetary deposit or identity papers to the employer and shall be free to terminate their employment with a reasonable period of notice. 

Discrimination

All forms of discrimination at work based on ethnicity, religion, age, language, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, trade union membership or political beliefs are strictly prohibited. 

Measures shall be established to safeguard against sexual harassment, threatening, insulting or exploitative behaviour and to prevent discrimination or dismissal on unfair grounds.  

Physical cruelty

Physical cruelty or punishment, or threats of physical cruelty, are strictly forbidden. The same applies to sexual or other abuse and different types of humiliation. 

Interaction

Lerøy participates in various fora to discuss human rights.

Valid for

All employees and contract labour shall comply with this policy.

We expect our suppliers and business partners to conduct themselves in line with the policy's purpose, and to respect all internationally recognised human rights principles.

Definitions 

None

Framework and principles

• Lerøy’s Code of Conduct
• The United Nations Global Compact principles on Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-corruption
• The International Labour Organization’s declaration of fundamental principles and rights at work
• Local labour laws

Roles and responsibilities

• All those who work at Lerøy are responsible for positively ensuring human rights. Human rights are an integral part of the Group’s Code of Conduct, which is obligatory for all employees.
• The top management in each company is responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy, and that the organisation has appointed personnel with competencies who are assigned the task of ensuring compliance.

Policy ownership and implementation

• The CHRO at Lerøy Seafood Group is the owner of this document, and is responsible for updates.
• The policy has been approved by the corporate management at Lerøy, and is presented to the Group's Board of Directors.
• The CEO of Lerøy Seafood Group has overall responsibility for the policy.