Employee Rights & Wellbeing - Goodhope Asia Holdings Ltd

The well-being, safety, and rights of our employees are of utmost importance to us. Our workforce is diverse, inclusive, and hails from various countries, cultures, and backgrounds. We prioritize the welfare of not only our employees but also their families.

Our management practices adhere to both international and local laws, as well as global standards set by organizations such as the International Labour Organization, which include the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the ILO Conventions. We also align with principles outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Children.

As an equal-opportunity employer, we oppose child labour and are committed to upholding the rights and well-being of all who contribute to our company.

Gender Equality

Currently women represent 24% of the Group’s workforce. Continuous efforts are being made to increase women’s representation and leadership in all levels of the workforce including progressively increasing number of women in management positions. Gender Committees are in place to empower female members in the workforce, to raise awareness, identify and address issues of concern, as well as opportunities and improvements for women.

Through our Gender Committees and commitments, we are working to address key concerns and protect women’s rights in the workplace by:

Providing training to employees to prevent gender based harassment and discrimination.
Ensuring access to a complaints system that specifically includes gender discrimination or harassment.
Ensuring that the needs of new mothers are considered and that actions are taken to address the needs, e.g. providing nursing stations
Providing day care opportunities.

Outside of the workplace, we are making further endeavors to integrate gender equality concepts into our education programs and avoid gender bias and the introduction of stereotyping.

Health and Safety

Our operational activities are in compliance with national health and safety laws and International Standards in Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.

All our mature plantation sites in Central Kalimantan are certified for Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 14001:2015.

Refining and manufacturing facilities are certified under HACCP, HALAL, Kosher for Food Safety, and Occupational Health and Safety.

Our safety induction and training programs ensure that everyone has the necessary information and skills they need to safely carry out their tasks at work. Training programs are implemented across all our departments and operations with a central training center based at PT Agro Indomas, Central Kalimantan. Topics of training are delivered according to identified risks and needs.

All workers handling chemicals are provided with regular training in the safe use, storage, handling, and potential hazards of chemical materials. Sanitation facilities are made available for those applying pesticides. We also provide free regular medical check-ups for workers handling chemicals. Our policies prohibit women from engaging in pesticide application during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Alternative equivalent work to applying pesticides is available for pregnant or breastfeeding women or other people who have medical restrictions.

Road safety programs are implemented to increase awareness and reduce road accidents.

Accident / near miss hotline
Our accident / near miss hotline provides the means for employees to report any observed hazards risky behavior or conditions, supplementing the system checks for possible hazards that are carried out through regular health and safety inspections of operational units and activities. By improving risk identification through the near-miss hotline, we can reduce the occurrence of accidents by implementing appropriate corrective actions to address identified hazards.

Facilities and Services

For employees living on-site at our plantations, we provide housing, education for their children, and access to medical services.

We provide semi-furnished housing including electricity and clean water that meet national and International Labour Organization (ILO) standards. Emplacements are required to meet the accepted standards of hygiene and sanitation by promoting good housekeeping practices, waste management, availability of clean water, and measures to control communicable diseases.

Free medical care is given to all workers and their families living on-site at our plantations. The polyclinics in our concessions are equipped to deal with the treatment of various injuries, illnesses, and medical emergencies, as well as to provide employees with services such as medical tests, immunizations, and family planning. Our clinic at PT Agro Bukit, Central Kalimantan, is also equipped with a medical laboratory.

Ensuring access to quality education and childcare services is a fundamental part of our commitment to the communities living on our plantations. Our goal is to create an environment where children have the opportunity to learn and grow. We operate schools and daycare centers that cater to the educational needs of children, offering a safe and nurturing space for their development. These facilities are staffed with qualified educators and caregivers who work diligently to provide a supportive and enriching educational experience. By investing in education and childcare, we aim to empower the younger generation with the knowledge and skills they need for a brighter future.

Worker Representation

Goodhope recognizes the rights of its employees to collectively bargain and to give input to management. Employees have the freedom to join any form of association. The company does not intervene in any manner that is likely to inhibit workers from exercising their union rights. The Bipartite Communication Forum (LKS Bipartite) serves as a means of communication between company management and employees towards achieving and maintaining a common platform for effective communication, transparency, and a conducive work environment.

Wages

We uphold the principle of fair compensation for all our employees and workers. Every individual receives a salary that, at minimum, meets the locally mandated minimum wage as set by the relevant authorities based on the nature of their work. Our commitment extends beyond mere compliance, as we are dedicated to ensuring that the remuneration we provide is not only fair but also sufficient to support both the worker and their families in leading a decent and comfortable life.

Employee Grievance Mechanism

We actively encourage employees who suspect any wrongdoing within the company to come forward and voice their concerns. Grievances and complaints are first addressed at the immediate supervisor level. If resolution remains elusive at this stage, the matter will be escalated to the Human Resources department. Should the issue remain unresolved, employees have the option to forward their complaint to the Bipartite Cooperation Institution forums and, if necessary, to the local manpower services office, where it will be addressed in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations. We are committed to providing a structured and fair process for addressing employee concerns.