At JSW Cement, we are committed to enhancing our commitment to human rights protection across our operations. To reinforce this commitment, we have a Human rights policy and we have also established an exhaustive Technical Standard for Human Rights Management at group level. This standard outlines the effective methods for managing human rights and aligning with the objectives outlined in our Policy on Protecting Human Rights. The Technical Standard is concerned with identifying salient Human Rights issues for the organization; allocating responsibility; and establishing systems, procedures and mechanisms to manage those issues. One of the operating locations was covered during the Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) assessment, which was conducted by JSW Steel in FY 2022-23. In the year FY 2023-24, the company has initiated HRDD assessments for two new locations. The company aims to cover the remaining locations for HRDD assessment by 2025. These assessments are aligned with core UNGP Indicators, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (IV. Human Rights).
Our HRDD process covers the following aspects:
- Labor Rights: Ensuring protection against child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking, as well as minimum wages, fair & reasonable remuneration, freedom of association, and the right to collective bargaining in the future.
- Environmental Rights: Safeguarding the environment and natural resources in the vicinity of JSW Cement's operations.
- Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment: Creating a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees.
- Voice and Participation: Encouraging active employee engagement and participation in decision-making processes.
- Gender Equality: Promoting equal opportunities and treatment for all genders.
- Data Privacy: Safeguarding the confidentiality and privacy of personal data.
- Governance and Security: Ensuring proper governance structures and security measures are in place to protect our stakeholders.
- Grievance Redressal: Establishing effective mechanisms for addressing concerns and grievances raised by our stakeholders.
The HRDD process involves engagement with several key stakeholders, including employees, contract workers (including migrant workers), local communities and society members (including women, children, and indigenous people). The scope of these assessments extends to the company's operations, communities as well as its supply chain.
Moreover, JSW Cement intends to make these assessments applicable in the event of a merger or acquisition. Upon identifying potential risks for all operations, the company will conduct periodic reviews to map potential issues and track progress toward mitigating salient risks identified as part of the assessment.
Once the human rights risks are identified at the location, they are prioritized based on the applicable standards, enabling us to focus and create action-oriented, efficient, and streamlined plans to prevent and mitigate those risks.
By committing to undertake HRDD assessments, JSW Cement demonstrates its dedication to upholding and promoting human rights across its operations and supply chain. This approach not only benefits its stakeholders but also contributes to a more sustainable and responsible business environment in the cement industry.
To demonstrate our commitment, we have become a signatory member of United National Global Compact in 2023.
