Unitika Human Rights Policy
In July 2022, the Unitika Group established the Unitika Human Rights Policy.As a member of the Corporate Report Association of Human Rights Issue, Unitika has been working extensively on human rights issues in a variety of ways, such as by gathering educational information on raising awareness of human rights. We are aware that the world is becoming increasingly conscious of human rights, and we have reflected this in our human rights policy by moving forward with our business activities while protecting the human rights of all stakeholders connected with our businesses in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Unitika Human Rights Policy
The philosophy of the Unitika Group is “contributing to society by connecting people’s lives and technology.”
Based on our philosophy, we are aiming to be a “company that is continuously chosen by customers,” as is set in our long-term vision G-STEP30.
The Unitika Group is a member of the international society, and so we have set in the Unitika Human Rights Policy (hereinafter, “this human rights policy”) our commitment to respecting the human rights of all stakeholders (suppliers, business partners and clients, Unitika Group employees) as we move forward with our business activities. We believe promoting these initiatives for respecting human rights will facilitate work that is meaningful and humane (decent work) and correct inequalities; this is aligned with the basic position of the SDGs and leads to gaining the support of our global customers.
1. Compliance with international norms and laws and regulations
This human rights policy has been formulated in accordance with the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Unitika Group supports and respects the following international norms.
- The International Bill of Human Rights, the most basic and comprehensive human rights norms in the international society
- The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact, which are ten principles stipulated in the four fields of human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption
- The ILO Core Labour Standards, in which the International Labour Organization (ILO) stipulates the basic rights in labors
We will also comply with the laws and regulations of countries and regions where we carry out business activities. When there are differences in the laws and regulations of countries and internationally recognized human rights, we will pursue methods that respect the international principles of human rights.
2. Education and training
The Unitika Group is educating our executive officers and employees, so that they understand and put into practice this human rights policy.
3. Human rights due diligence
We will set up human rights due diligence mechanisms, identify the negative impacts on human rights that the Unitika Group has in society, and correct and lessen these impacts.
4. Dialogue with stakeholders
In regard to the negative impacts on human rights that occur from carrying out our businesses, we will talk to and consult with relevant internal and external stakeholders while also taking into account the views of external experts.
5．Correction and relief
When our business activities directly or indirectly negatively impact human rights, we will enhance the mechanisms for relief by conducting appropriate surveys and responding properly in our affiliates in Japan and overseas.
6. Information disclosure
The Unitika Group has disclosed our human rights initiatives based on this declaration on the Unitika website, etc.
* A resolution of enactment was passed at the Unitika Ltd. Board of Directors meeting held on July 25, 2022.
Implementation of Human Rights-related Education
Under the idea that “UNITIKA shall manage itself in such a way that the human rights of all people are respected,” as specified in the Unitika Group Charter of Corporate Behavior, the Unitika Group is working towards human rights awareness by setting up a human rights awareness promotion organization and conducting in-house human rights training for our employees including the Representative Director and President, Chief Executive Officer, executives, and the presidents of Group companies. We have set up support desks at our production sites and Group companies for consultations on sexual harassment, power harassment, maternity harassment, and other forms of harassment related to pregnancy, childbirth, child-rearing and nursing care, with the aim of raising the level of awareness and recognition of our employees. We will carry out human rights education as appropriate, and familiarize Unitika employees in Japan and overseas with the Unitika Human Rights Policy so that they will have a deeper understanding of respecting the human rights of all stakeholders.
| FY 2030 KPI | Total number of participants | Implementation rate of human rights-related education (%) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of human rights training participants | 20% (implemented once throughout the entire Group over five years) |
2,155 people | 93% (*) |
* Domestic
KPIs of Priority Issues (Materiality)
Implementation rate of human rights-related education (entire Group, including overseas companies)
FY 2030 target: 20% (implemented once throughout the entire Group over five years)
FY 2022 actual result: 93% (domestic)
Human Rights Due Diligence
At Unitika Trading Co., Ltd, which is a core company in the Fibers & Textiles segment, we have identified the human rights-related risks in the garment fibers supply chain, and have set up due diligence mechanisms to reduce and respond to those risks. We identify the Unitika Group’s negative impacts on human rights in society, and correct and lessen these impacts.Based on the Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct in the Textile and Apparel Industry published by the Japan Textile Federation (JTF) in July 2022, we have been carrying out evaluations using check lists and making the supply chain more visible. We have identified issues such as the need to understand the risks in the supply chain and the need for a complaints handling desk that can also be used by business partners and clients in the event of a human rights violation. Although we have an understanding of the positioning of the primary supply chain in the commercial distribution channels, we recognize once again the difficulty in understanding the peripheral commercial distribution channels. We will continue to take action to prevent and reduce the risks we have identified, and to correct and lessen their impacts.
Elimination of Forced Labor and Child Labor
Unitika Group companies and overseas affiliates have continually made declarations of their refusal to take part in any form of forced labor or child labor in violation of international agreements, such as the International Covenants on Human Rights or the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
We will continue with our activities to eliminate forced labor and child labor, in accordance with the Unitika Human Rights Policy we have formulated and the various international norms we refer to.
Declaration of Responsible Business Conduct
Unitika Group understands the gist of the Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct in the Textile and Apparel Industry created by the Japan Textile Federation and the Guidelines on Respecting Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains created by the Japanese government. In accordance with these Guidelines, the Unitika Group declares to carry out responsible business conduct and respect the human rights of rights holders including foreign technical intern trainees, with the cooperation of all relevant business partners and clients in the supply chain.
Declaration of Responsible Business Conduct (Japanese)
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