Human Rights
When it comes to human rights, we set high standards for ourselves and our partners.
“There is only one way in which we conduct business: ethically”
Margarita Louis-Dreyfus
Chairperson, Louis Dreyfus Holding B.V.
Committed to Progress
As part of our determination to protect the wellbeing of the communities where we operate, we will not engage in trade practices that infringe human rights.
We strongly condemn child or forced labor, and proactively apply United Nations (UN) recommendations in this respect.
We insist that any people working for or with us, do so with respect for diversity in all its forms, for a non-discriminatory work environment.
These commitments are enshrined in LDC’s Code of Conduct, which also encourages business with providers, partners and subcontractors who share and stand by the same ethics and values.
International Standards
Our commitment to human rights is based on the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles that we signed in 2010, as well as on our own ambition to contribute to more inclusive societies.
LDC’s Code of Conduct guides our compliance with international standards, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Good for Business
With growing awareness of human rights violations faced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGTBI) people around the world, in 2018 we signed the UN’s Global (LGBTI) Standards of Conduct for Business.
Fabrice Houdart, Human Rights Officer at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) at the time, welcomed the move:
“It sends a powerful signal that the private sector believes it has a stake in human rights of LGBTI people… This is not just the right thing to do but is also the smart thing to do. The business and economic case for inclusion has never been so well articulated. In short, inclusive societies and companies fare better.”
LDC’s ongoing support for human rights is not just ethically sound. It is good for business.
CASE STUDY
Eliminating Child Labor in Uzbekistan
LDC worked closely with the ILO, the government of Uzbekistan and the Association of Cotton Merchants in Europe (ACME) to monitor and evaluate labor practices at cotton harvest season in Uzbekistan and address any concerns. We put great effort into eliminating forced and child labor, or any other poor practices, from our supply chain.
CASE STUDY
Seafarers’ Code of Conduct
In 2020, around 300,000 seafarers were stranded at sea due to crew-change restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, with some crews staying on board for over a year. This led to an industry-wide call for the development of a dedicated code of conduct for actors across the shipping value chain, recognizing seafarers as key workers and ensures their rights and wellbeing.
LDC joined forces with the Sustainable Shipping Initiative, the Institute for Human Rights and Business and other maritime industry players to develop this seafarers’ rights Code of Conduct. Intended to be concrete and actionable, the code sets out in detail the responsibilities of supply chain actors and how crew members can seek support or initiate grievances.
