Communication on Progress

Communication on Progress

Participant
Published
  • 10-May-2021
Time period
  • May 2020  –  May 2021
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.

  • 10th May 2021

    Dear Sirs,

    Statement of continued support of the United Nations Global Compact

    “I am pleased to confirm that Archer International Limited 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 our first annual Communication on Progress, we describe our actions to integrate the Global Compact and its principles into our business strategy, culture and daily operations. We are also committed to share this information with our stakeholders using our primary channels of communication.”

    Yours sincerely

    John Davies
    Director & Country Manager
    Archer International Limited

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.

  • All Archer staff are provided with safe, suitable and sanitary work facilities. Where staff are deployed at client sites, a survey is made the client premises, and improvements are relayed to the client where required. Archer staff are provided with new uniforms which are replaced annually or as required according to wear and tear. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided according to the task and situation. All staff are provided with insect repellent and waterproof ponchos.
    Archer guards are given comprehensive training that is fully applicable to their role. Furthermore this training includes all areas of human rights, including rules for the use of force, detention, apprehension of persons, prohibition of torture or other cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, sexual exploitation and abuse or gender based violence, human trafficking, prohibition of slavery and forced labour, prohibition on the worst forms of child labour, and discrimination.
    Further to this a full human rights risk assessment is carried out annually, and thereafter undergoes regular annual review.
    All processes engaged with human rights are aligned with international standard ISO 18788 which is specifically designed for the security industry. Archer International is an affiliate of the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA) which stewards best practice for private security providers, particularly in the area of human rights.

  • Implementation

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

  • As above

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • The company closely measures all outcomes relating to every aspect of the business in accordance with ISO 9001 and 18788.

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.

  • Archer ensures that the company does not participate in any form of forced or bonded labour. The company issues bona fide contracts of employment which are fully explained before an employee agrees and signs. The company has strict rules of selection, which are fully documented. Employees undergo rigorous vetting prior to employment. The company pays well in excess of general levels of salary in South Sudan, and certainly the security industry. There is no statutory minimum wage in the country.
    The company maintains human resource processes which ensure fair and equitable treatment. All matters relating to employment are handled using a defined framework which is both transparent and objective. Staff have specific channels for complaint and redress, and the company maintains a whistleblowing mechanism. The company has a clear code of conduct and disciplinary violation chart which is explained during training, and is available on request.

  • Implementation

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

  • As above

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • The company closely measures all outcomes relating to every aspect of the business in accordance with ISO 9001 and 18788.

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.

  • The company’s activities have very little environmental impact, however as an organization we make every effort to be aware of areas such as disposal of waste, energy consumption, pollution control and the use of water. There is very limited infrastructure in South Sudan, so adherence to good environmental practices is challenging. The company maintains processes relating to health and safety under which environmental issues are considered and mitigated against according to ISO 9001 audit and continuous improvement. The company does not handle or utilize hazardous substances. As part of our corporate social responsibility initiative, the company recently spearheaded a rubbish clearing exercise along a particular road in the capital Juba, where the accumulation of waste had become a serious hazard.

  • Implementation

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

  • As above

  • Measurement of outcomes

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

  • The company closely measures all outcomes relating to every aspect of the business in accordance with ISO 9001 and 18788.

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.

  • The company assesses risk of exposure to corruption, and maintains a zero tolerance approach to all aspect of corruption and bribery in all areas of operation including the supply chain, issue of contracts and staff. Suppliers are required to complete a corruption and anti-bribery questionnaire in order to demonstrate compliance.
    Archer staff receive specific training during the basic training course. The Archer code of conduct sets out fully the company’s position, and the company maintains robust processes to monitor and mitigate any suspicions of corruption within the framework of ISO 9001 and 198788.

  • Implementation

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

  • As above

  • Measurement of outcomes

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

  • The company closely measures all outcomes relating to every aspect of the business in accordance with ISO 9001 and 18788.