Initiatives for Human Rights
Respect for Human Rights
As a global company, Marubeni regards respect for internationally recognized human rights to be an integral aspect of CSR and essential to sound corporate management.
In accordance with the spirit of the "Marubeni Corporate Principles" and the "Compliance Manual," we promote group-wide initiatives aimed at creating a corporate culture in which human rights are respected.
Marubeni Group's System of Initiatives for Human Rights Issues
Human Rights and Discrimination Issues Committee
This Committee was established in 1981 to help Marubeni correctly understand and appreciate the issues surrounding human rights and discrimination. The committee is chaired by the Chief Operating Officer of the Human Resources Department, and its members comprise the general managers of the Corporate Staff Divisions and Business Divisions at Head Office, as well as the general managers and deputy general managers of the branches. The fiscal 2010 meeting of the committee was held in July.
Selection of Officers for the Promotion of Fair Recruitment and Human Rights Awareness
At the Tokyo Head Office and 3 branches, Officers for the Promotion of Fair Recruitment and Human Rights Awareness are nominated and notification of their appointment is given to the Public Employment Security Office. In addition, efforts have been made to establish fair recruitment systems.
Formulation of the Compliance Manual
The first matter highlighted in Marubeni's "Compliance Manual" (seventh edition) is "respect for human rights & prohibition of any form of discrimination, sexual harassment and power harassment." Here, the notion of human rights includes the fundamental human rights provided for by the Constitution of Japan, the Labor Standards Act, and by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and it also includes human rights prescribed in the International Labor Standards.*
* The International Labor Standards establishes fundamental standards for labor. The standards are comprised of 8 conventions in 4 categories, namely: (1) freedom of association, (2) prohibition of forced labor, (3) prohibition of discrimination in employment, and (4) prohibition of child labor.
Promotion of Human Rights Awareness at the Marubeni Group
Implementation of Internal Company Training
Marubeni is continuously promoting awareness of the need to respect basic human rights through various training opportunities targeted at every one from top management through department and section managers to general employees.
- Human Rights Training for Top-Level Management
Top-level management are required to deepen their understanding of human rights issues and related corporate responsibilities and confirm that corporate management is conducted with an awareness of human rights.
- Department Management Training
To create a corporate culture where human rights are respected, department managers are required to ensure discrimination is not tolerated in the workplace environment and set a good example for subordinates.
- Middle Management Training
Section managers are required to work toward creating a workplace free from all kinds of discrimination, sexual harassment and power harassment as well as guiding subordinates to do the same.
- General Employee Training
Employees are required to manage their own conduct with a good understanding of the spirit of the "Compliance Manual."
- Division-Based Training
Each division conducts its original training program, designed to meet its specific needs.
- Branch-Based Human Rights Training
In fiscal 2010, this training was conducted at the Osaka Branch. In fiscal 2011, the training is scheduled to be offered at the Hokkaido, Nagoya, and Kyushu Branches.
Promotion of Awareness-Raising Activities
- Seminar for Group Company Personnel Officers
Training is provided every year for staff who are in charge of personnel affairs at Marubeni Group companies. In fiscal 2010, the annual seminar was held in December, attended by representatives of 66 companies.
- Posting of Human Rights and Anti-discrimination Information on Our Website
Marubeni posts information on its basic policy regarding human rights issues as well as training materials on the Marubeni intranet as needed.
- Contest for Human Rights Promotion Slogans
In addition to promoting human rights slogans throughout the year, during Human Rights Week in December, we run a slogan contest in the Marubeni Group newsletter to promote awareness of human rights. The best slogans submitted are then published in the newsletter the following May.
Strengthening Measures against Sexual Harassment and Power Harassment
Marubeni previously specified prohibition of sexual harassment in its "Compliance Manual." In response to the revised Equal Employment Opportunity Act, however, we amended our work regulations to include a rule concerning "the prevention of sexual harassment." Moreover, we released our "Measures for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment," which set out a definition of sexual harassment as well as prohibited acts, and penalties.
Furthermore, by setting up a consultation desk in the Human Resources Department and adopting a system for providing consultation through the "Door of Courage" program, we have worked hard to achieve the early detection and prevention of problems. With regard to power harassment, we have clearly stipulated our prohibition of the same, together with sexual harassment, in the fiscal 2010 edition of the "Compliance Manual."
