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Human Rights

Basic Philosophy

The Nichirei Group is constantly trying to create new customer value. It does so under the Group’s corporate vision of “continuing to support good eating habits and health by leveraging our state-of-the-art manufacturing practices that optimize nature’s bounty, along with our leading-edge logistics services.” At the same time, we are helping find solutions to challenges facing our society, in an effort to be an indispensable member of society.
Recognizing that our business processes may have a direct or even an indirect effect on human rights, we have instituted the Nichirei Group Human Rights Policy, based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Our policy guides us as we seek to fulfill our responsibility to respect the human rights of all our stakeholders.

Human Rights Policy

Respect for Human Rights
Human Rights Due Diligence
Human Rights Issues Relating to Our Business Activities​ Discrimination
Harassment、Forced labor and child labor、Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining、Occupational health and safety、Working hours and wages、Impact in the supply chain、Impact on local communities​
Grievance Mechanisms
Education and Training
Monitoring and Reporting
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Management System

In addressing the consideration of human rights in our business activities, the Nichirei Group recognizes that through our business activities in Japan and overseas, we may have various impacts on society and the environment, including our supply chain, and we wish to build appropriate relationships with our stakeholders in terms of society and the environment. The Human Rights Policy was established in April 2019 and revised in April 2022 based on the establishment of the Nichirei Group Sustainability Policy "Nichirei Pledge". Issues related to human rights are discussed by the Group Sustainability Committee.

Nicihrei Corporation, Strategic Planning, Nichirei Corporation, Quality Assurance Division, Nichirei Corporation, Technology Management, Nichirei Corporation, Corporate Internal Audit, Nichirei Corporation, Corporate Supervise, Nichirei Corporation, Legal Affairs, Nichirei Corporation, Human Resources Strategy & General Affairs, Nichirei Corporation, Finance & Investor Relations, Nichirei Corporation, Accounting & Tax, Nichirei Corporation, Group Communication, Nichirei Foods Inc., Nichirei Fresh Inc., Nichirei Logistics Group Inc., Nichirei Biosciences Inc., Hitachi Foods & Logistics Systems,Inc., NIchirei Bisiness Partners .inc

Initiatives

External Communications

Participation in Stakeholder Engagement Program

The company participated in the 2019-2023 Caux Round Table Stakeholder Engagement Program. In this context, the committee also held in-depth discussions on how to address human rights issues as well as identify human rights issues specific to the food industry and logistics business, including issues raised by NGOs and others, and the exchange of opinions among companies.
The results will be used in our human rights efforts and we will continue to conduct stakeholder engagement to identify industry-specific human rights issues.

Participation
Year Number of participants Affiliation of participants
2019 2 Nichirei Group Communication Dept.
2020 2 Nichirei Group Communication Dept.
2021 4 Nichirei Group Communication Dept., Nichirei Foods Sustainability Management Dept.
2022 5 Nichirei Sustainability Management Dept., Nichirei Foods Sustainability Management Dept.
2023 6 Nichirei Sustainability Management Dept., Nichirei Foods Sustainability Management Dept., Nichirei Fresh Sustainability Management Dept.

The report of stakeholder engagement program can be downloaded from the web site of CRT Japan.

We also participated annually from 2019 to 2023 in the International Conference on Business and Human Rights (organized by the Japanese Committee of the CRT), which is attended by domestic and international NPOs/NGOs and human rights experts.

Human Rights Initiatives

At the Nichirei Group, we understand that our business activities, from research and development to procurement and provision of products and services, have potential or actual impacts on human rights. In line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, we carry out due diligence to identify, prevent and mitigate adverse impacts on the human rights of people involved in the Nichirei Group’s business activities.

Human Rights Due Diligence for Foreign Technical Interns and Specified Skilled Workers

Over a period of two months from October to November 2022, with support from the NPO Caux Round Table Japan, we carried out a fact-finding survey of foreign technical interns and foreign specified skilled workers employed by the Nichirei Group. The survey was conducted in accordance with the Dhaka Principles* to assess their physical and mental health and whether they felt a sense of fulfillment day to day.

  • *Principles for the responsible recruitment and employment of migrant workers
Target group Foreign technical interns and specified skilled workers employed by the Nichirei Group
Survey period October to November 2022
Survey method (1) Online questionnaire
  • ・Scope: All food factories where target group members were based
  • ・Responses were accepted in languages other than Japanese (Vietnamese, Chinese, Indonesian)
(2) Interviews
  • ・Scope: Certain food factories
  • ・Interviewer: Hiroshi Ishida from Caux Round Table Japan
Survey Results and Issues
  • Hiroshi Ishida
    Executive Director
    Caux Round Table Japan
  • As a human rights due diligence initiative, Caux Round Table Japan conducted a questionnaire survey and interviews with foreign workers in accordance with the Dhaka Principles from the standpoint of a third-party organization. Among the survey results, there were many comments expressing a desire to continue working as a member of Nichirei, and no signs of serious human rights violations. However, regarding Principle 1 of the Dhaka Principles, “No fees are charged to migrant workers,” the survey revealed that, although there were some variations between individuals, such fees had reached considerably large amounts. I expect the Nichirei Group to take specific measures to establish a foundation of trust with foreign workers. Such measures should involve management, and should verify the actual fees charged to foreign workers at the time they were hired.
  • Documents seeking cooperation in answering online questionnaire (Japanese/Vietnamese)Documents seeking cooperation in answering online questionnaire (Japanese/Vietnamese)
  • Interview at a food factoryInterview at a food factory
Ten Sedex Member Companies in the Food and Beverage Industry Form Working Team to Promote Human Rights Due Diligence in the Supply Chain

Ten companies in the food and beverage industry, including Nichirei Foods, which joined the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (“Sedex”), have formed the Sedex Working Team of Buyers in the Food and Beverage Industry. Promoting the common use and standardization of Sedex within the food and beverage industry, the team has also been promoting membership of Sedex through initiatives including briefing sessions for suppliers in January and February 2023 and for companies that have trading company functions as of July 2023.

  • Note:Nichirei Foods has been a member of Sedex, a non-profit organization dedicated to the realization of ethical and responsible business practices in the global supply chain, since July 2019. All factories owned by Nichirei Foods in Japan underwent Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audits (SMETA) in FY2022.

Initiatives for Human Rights of Employees

The Nichirei Group is aware that, when it comes to operating a global business, respecting the human rights not only of the Group’s employees, but also all stakeholders involved in its businesses is absolutely essential, and that this philosophy applies to all people and companies. Based on this way of thinking, the Group has referenced both the “ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work”*1 and the “UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”*2, among other international human rights standards, and sets forth the Group’s Code of Conduct as follows. The Nichirei Group respects human rights and does not discriminate at all based on race, skin color, gender, religion, political views, nationality, social status, background, or any other factor. The Nichirei Group rejects all forms of forced labor and child labor. Furthermore, discriminatory behavior, violent behavior, sexual harassment, power harassment, and other such behavior is forbidden, and regulatory standards are adhered to with regards to wages (including legal allowances) and working hours.

  • *1All member nations pledge to respect, promote, and realize the obligation to eliminate discrimination in hiring and employment, implement effective abolition of child labor, forbid forced labor, and effectively approve freedom of association and the right of collective bargaining.
  • *2Established by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General John Ruggie with the objective of enforcing the “Protect, Respect and Remedy” framework established to strengthen the standards and customs related to multinational firms’ businesses and human rights.

As for informing employees about human rights, we are working to disseminate information related to human rights on the company intranet.

  • Sustainability Promotion Portal SiteSustainability Promotion Portal Site

Regarding employee education on human rights, e-learning on "Business and Human Rights" is provided to all employees once a year to coincide with World Human Rights Day.

labor–management relations

In order to support the sound development of the Nichirei Group, the Nichirei Labor Union strives to ensure that the individual rights of every union member are respected. This is based on the principle of equality among members of labor and management, as well as the union’s vision of a workplace environment with mutual incentives to work.
The union considers labor–management negotiations to be important. It thus narrows down the demands of its members and pushes for workplace improvements, all the while maintaining a productive relationship with management.

Internal Whistleblower Hotline and Consultation Service

In October 2003, we introduced an internal whistleblower hotline and consultation service (Nichirei Hotline) to respond to reports and consultations from employees regarding actions that violate laws and regulations, the Articles of Incorporation, internal rules, or actions that are ethically questionable. In FY2016, we updated our internal whistleblower hotline system in response to the requirements of Japan’s Corporate Governance Code, which specifies that internal whistleblower hotline systems are to be independent from a company’s management, and introduced monitoring/checking functions through Audit & Supervisory Board members and outside officers. In 2022, we updated the system again in line with the amended Whistleblower Protection Act that went into effect in June of that year and in compliance with government guidelines. The response system is being redesigned to strengthen whistleblower protection and confidentiality, and to expand the scope of whistleblowers.
To ensure that all officers and employees are aware of the new hotline, the Company created promotional posters for display at workplaces nationwide and distributed Nichirei Hotline reminder cards to all employees. All reports and consultations received by the Nichirei Hotline are investigated by the administration office to confirm the facts and, if necessary, corrective measures are taken, in accordance with the Group Whistleblowing Regulations. Whistleblowers are assured anonymity and any adverse treatment is prohibited, including retaliation by the Company, those who are the subject of complaints, or any other party. The whistleblower may also receive feedback from the secretariat if he or she so requests.
In line with the acceleration of overseas business expansion, the need for internal whistleblower hotlines and consultation services at facilities outside of Japan has also increased. We are working on appropriate designs for these systems, based on laws and regulations regarding personal information in each country.
The status of response to whistleblowing and consultation is regularly reported to the Board of Directors and monitored to ensure that it is being properly managed.

Number of whistleblower reports and consultations regarding human rights issues
Study Sessions on Sustainability for Management

In FY2023, we invited experts to participate in study sessions on sustainability for management. We held six such sessions. At the third session, Mr. Hidemi Tomita of LRQA Sustainability K.K. gave a lecture on sustainable procurement and human rights. A total of 139 people* attended the event, which created greater awareness of human rights issues in the supply chain.

Online study session

Online study session

  • *Including 85 officers from the holding company and operating companies and 54 participants from related divisions
Nicihrei Corporation, Strategic Planning, Nichirei Corporation, Quality Assurance Division, Nichirei Corporation, Technology Management, Nichirei Corporation, Corporate Internal Audit, Nichirei Corporation, Corporate Supervise, Nichirei Corporation, Legal Affairs, Nichirei Corporation, Human Resources Strategy & General Affairs, Nichirei Corporation, Finance & Investor Relations, Nichirei Corporation, Accounting & Tax, Nichirei Corporation, Group Communication, Nichirei Foods Inc., Nichirei Fresh Inc., Nichirei Logistics Group Inc., Nichirei Biosciences Inc., Hitachi Foods & Logistics Systems,Inc., NIchirei Bisiness Partners .inc