Communication on Progress

Communication on Progress 2020

Participant
Published
  • 06-Feb-2020
Time period
  • February 2019  –  February 2020
Format
  • Stand alone document – Basic COP Template
Differentiation Level
  • This COP qualifies for the Global Compact Active level
Self-assessment
  • Includes a CEO statement of continued support for the UN Global Compact and its ten principles
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Human Rights
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Labour
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Environment
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Anti-Corruption
  • Includes a measurement of outcomes
 
  • Statement of continued support by the Chief Executive Officer

  • Statement of the company's chief executive (CEO or equivalent) expressing continued support for the Global Compact and renewing the company's ongoing commitment to the initiative and its principles.

  • 06/02/2020

    To our stakeholders:

    I am pleased to confirm that UNIBON SHIPPING LLC reaffirms its support of the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment, and Anti-Corruption.

    In this annual Communication on Progress, we describe our actions to continually improve the integration of the Global Compact and its principles into our business strategy, culture and daily operations. We also commit to share this information with our stakeholders using our primary channels of communication.

    Sincerely yours,

    
REMIL NATH
    CEO

Human Rights
  • Assessment, policy and goals

  • Description of the relevance of human rights for the company (i.e. human rights risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on Human Rights.

  • At Unibon Shipping, we believe that all individuals are entitled to basic human rights, freedoms, and standards of treatment. Our definition of human rights is consistent with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We consider human rights to include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to work and education. While Unibon has experienced no human rights controversies and has never engaged in any human rights abuses since our founding in 2009, we have nonetheless taken steps to further codify our commitment to upholding human rights within our sphere of influence.

  • Implementation

  • Description of concrete actions to implement Human Rights policies, address Human Rights risks and respond to Human Rights violations.

  • Goal 1: Clarify our support for human rights.

    Action: Developed new Global HumanRights Policy.

    Unibon’s board of directors recently approved a new Global Human Rights Policy, which prohibits any form of human trafficking, slavery, child labor, harassment or discrimination. The policy applies to all Unibon employees and contingent workers, all of Unibon’s direct and indirect subsidiaries worldwide, and Unibon’s suppliers and vendors. Unibon sought stakeholder input in developing the policy and will seek ongoing input regarding the policy’s implementation and evaluation.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • A new Global Human Rights Policy and a commitment to assess and manage our exposure to human rights abuses.
    An updated and enhanced compliance and ethics hotline

Labour
  • Assessment, policy and goals

  • Description of the relevance of labour rights for the company (i.e. labour rights-related risks and opportunities). Description of written policies, public commitments and company goals on labour rights.

  • OUR COMMITMENT

    As a global shipping firm, we specialize in matching people with gainful employment and believe that everyone should have access to dignified work. Since our founding, we’ve demonstrated our commitment to fair labor practices by building a work environment, where our employees feel safe, respected and engaged.

    Our new Global Human Rights Policy, as well as our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Supplier Code of Conduct, confirm our commitment to maintaining a safe and positive workplace for our employees and supporting fair labor practices beyond our operations.

  • Implementation

  • Description of concrete actions taken by the company to implement labour policies, address labour risks and respond to labour violations.

  • Goal 1: Increase employee awareness about our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

    Action: Launched a new global Code of Business Conduct and Ethics training program In November 2018, we launched a new employee training module covering our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. In 2019, we expanded the training to international employees and translated the curriculum into English, Hindi, and Arabic. As of November 2019, close to 100% of our global employees have received the training.

    We also expanded access to our ethics and compliance reporting platforms, which now include a suite of country-specific phone numbers, as well as an online reporting portal that is offered in over 8 major languages.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • New Code of Business Conduct and Ethics training rolled out in 3 countries, reaching over 100+ employees, partners and sub-contractors.
    A new suite of policies that collectively address fair labor practices and human rights.

Environment
  • Assessment, policy and goals

  • Description of the relevance of environmental protection for the company (i.e. environmental risks and opportunities). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on environmental protection.

  • OUR COMMITMENT

    We are committed to decreasing our environmental impact.

    As our Global Environmental Policy outlines, all employees of Unibon Shipping LLC are required to conduct business in a manner that protects the environment, conserves resources and ensures sustainable development. The policy provides guidance on the various ways we can improve efficiencies within our operations and business practices. This includes reducing paper use and business travel and increasing energy efficiency and digital processes. Unibon and its employees also support external conservation efforts through donations to local and International nonprofits.

  • Implementation

  • Description of concrete actions to implement environmental policies, address environmental risks and respond to environmental incidents.

  • Goal 1: Strengthen environmental oversight.

    Action: Instituted an environmental committee We recently formed an environmental committee to help monitor our environmental footprint and to prioritize high-impact efficiency. initiatives. The committee will facilitate interdepartmental collaboration and help identify where improvements can be made across the enterprise.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates environmental performance.

  • Improved environmental reporting to external benchmarking groups.
    113 short tons of solid waste and 1,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions avoided in 2018 through a reduction in paper consumption.

Anti-Corruption
  • Assessment, policy and goals

  • Description of the relevance of anti-corruption for the company (i.e. anti-corruption risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on anti-corruption.

  • OUR COMMITMENT

    Unibon’s business model is built around personal connections and trust, and we will not tolerate corruption within any part of our business. We comply with all anti-corruption laws and regulations, including the UAE anti-corruption law and the UK Bribery Act.

    We ensure compliance with these laws and regulations through Articles 234 to 239 of the Code anti-bribery practices in the UAE.

    Guidelines and Global Anti-Corruption Policy. We also address this in our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which directly prohibits corrupt or illegal practices, including the payment of bribes or kickbacks, insider trading, and self-dealing.

  • Implementation

  • Description of concrete actions to implement anti-corruption policies, address anti-corruption risks and respond to incidents.

  • Goal 1: Strengthen anti-corruption risk
    management

    Action: Continued to provide annual Board of Directors updates on Compliance and Ethics Program.

    Once a year, our senior vice president and corporate compliance officer presents an update to the Board of Directors on the priorities and status of our Compliance and Ethics Program. Directors are provided information on relevant policies, procedures, and training. In 2019, this included key updates on our Data Privacy and Security Policy, our mandatory harassment and discrimination training, and global anti-corruption policy training, which includes real-world examples of cases prosecuted by the UAE The Federal Judiciary. Leveraging the auditing expertise of our subsidiary, Protiviti, we also recently developed a new methodology to evaluate risks and risk control efficacy, including that associated with corruption.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates anti-corruption performance.

  • Developed a new risk assessment model.