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
We are committed to, and guided by, international standards, and we insist on the same from any people working for or with us, acting with respect for diversity in all its forms, for a non-discriminatory work environment.
These commitments are enshrined in LDC’s Code of Conduct, our Supplier Code of Conduct and our platform-specific policies, which also encourage business with providers, partners and subcontractors who share and uphold the same ethics and values.
Our Human & Labor Rights Policy sets out our commitment to ensuring strict compliance with applicable laws, regulations and international standards. It provides a framework to engage with relevant stakeholders to address causes of potential and actual adverse human rights impacts in our value chain.
International Standards
Our commitment to human rights is based on the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, which 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 Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Toward More Inclusive Societies
With growing awareness of human rights violations faced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTIQ+) people around the world, in 2018 we signed the United Nations‘ 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) 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,” he said at the time.
LDC’s ongoing support for human rights is not just ethically sound. It contributes to more inclusive societies.
Upholding Human & Labor Rights in Our Palm Supply Chain
Upholding human and labor rights is an integral part of our palm supply chain due diligence, in line with our Palm Sustainability Policy. We deploy various tools to assess potential risks within our supply chain and conduct further due diligence in relation to issues such as child and forced labor, fair labor practices, work conditions, health & safety, and community and indigenous rights.
In 2023, we continued external human rights due diligence work on our refinery in Balikpapan, Indonesia, and its three supplying mills, conducted by the social responsibility consultancy Verité.
Audits were carried out at the four sites, following the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This exercise has generated insights into current practices, identified improvement areas, and strengthened our relationship and collaboration with suppliers. All recommended improvement actions are scheduled for completion by the end of the following year.
SPOTLIGHT
Members of the ILO Child Labour Platform
In 2022, LDC formally joined the ILO Child Labour Platform – a cross-sectoral platform that aims to identify obstacles to the implementation of ILO Conventions in supply chains and surrounding communities, pinpoint practical ways of overcoming these obstacles and catalyze collective action.