Human rights issues have received global attention, particularly in businesses involving “humans.” Every person is born with fundamental rights that should be universally equal. This is critical for fostering peaceful coexistence regardless of differences, in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Both the public and private sectors prioritize business operations that respect human rights. The government sector has developed a National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights as a comprehensive policy framework. This framework establishes guidelines across various sectors with the goal of safeguarding individuals and communities from human rights violations. It also addresses, mitigates, and resolves problems and negative impacts resulting from business operations while also promoting responsible business practices and human rights across the value chain.

Policy and Management

The Bank prioritizes equal treatment for all people, regardless of race, skin color, gender, age, language, religion, physical status, or health, without discrimination, restraint, or restriction of rights. The bank also takes steps to protect whistleblowers. The Bank adheres to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) and the Ruggie Framework, which focuses on protecting and respecting human rights as well as mitigating the effects of human rights violations. The practices apply to both internal and external aspects of the organization, including the Bank’s operations, employees, customers, and suppliers.

Human Rights Due Diligence

The human rights risk assessment assesses the potential impact of business operations on individuals or stakeholders. This includes developing a human rights policy, identifying and assessing risks, planning mitigation strategies, preventing repeat violations, tracking performances, and providing remedies to those impacted.

Salient Human Rights Issues

The Bank evaluates and prioritizes human rights risk issues, encompassing activities within the organization and across the value chain. The assessment identified 3 key human rights risks, which are outlined below:

1. Corporate Customers: Labor Rights and Modern Slavery
   
   Mitigation Measures: Responsible Lending Guidelines, ESG assessments, and reporting on human rights in the loan approval process
2. Corporate Customers: Community Rights
   
   Mitigation Measures: The Responsible Lending Guidelines, ESG assessment, and reporting on human rights measures in the credit underwriting process. The Bank is currently developing additional lending guidelines to align with the Thailand Taxonomy
3. Suppliers: Labor Rights and Modern Slavery
   
   Mitigation Measures: Mitigation measures include the Supplier Code of Conduct, supplier evaluation criteria, the identification of human rights criteria in employment contracts or employment conditions, and the identification of penalties in the event of human rights violations

Freedom of Association

The Bank encourages all employees to express their opinions by calling the HR HOTLINE at 02-208-8887. The Bank will use the feedback to make improvements and enhance the efficiency of its operations. Furthermore, the Bank pays close attention to the concerns raised by the labor unions, which are representatives of employees. The Bank’s management and employee representatives engage in joint discussions at the monthly Labor Relations Committee meetings to develop problem solutions, improve work processes, and enhance employee quality of life. Moreover, Employee Committee meetings and Welfare Committee meetings are held every 3 months. Currently, there are 16,421 employees or 100% of employees under the care of the Welfare Committee.

Social Performance