FIMA CORPORATION SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018

20 / 22

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R e p o r t 54
Human Rights and
Workplace Relations
We respect our employees’ right to freedom of association,
to join unions as well as the right to collective bargaining in
accordance with local laws. We are committed to working
honestly and transparently with labour unions and we
undertake negotiations in good faith. As at 31 March 2018,
20.6% Group employees are represented by labour unions.
Our collective bargaining agreements with these representative
groups contain provisions covering grievance and discipline
processes, paid time off, paid maternity leave and collectively
bargained severance and separation benefits. Other
negotiated terms and conditions of employment contained
in our collective agreements include, among others, matters
such as wages and performance management.
During the year, the Group did not experience any situations
with the unions that resulted in a work stoppage.
Malaysia Indonesia
Total No of Employees 426 1,216
Unionized Employees 150 188
% of Unionized Employees 35% 15%
We are against any forms of forced labour and underage
workers, and we rigorously enforce these principles at all our
places of work. Each employee’s profile and identity document
are maintained in our HR data system, and we continuously
monitor compliance with the minimum legal working age
requirements enforced by the local authorities in the countries
where we operate our businesses. All employees work on their
own free will and without coercion. During the year, there has
been no incidence of child or forced labour in the Group.
All our operations have grievance mechanisms that are
accessible, accountable and fair, enabling concerns to be
raised without fear of recrimination. This includes the Group’s
‘whistleblowing’ policy and procedures in place for any
issues identified. Our whistleblowing policy can be viewed at
Benefits and Welfare
The Group’s compensation structure includes fixed and
variable components depending on the employee’s job grade.
Each location within the Group has its own locally defined
employee benefit schemes. For eligible employees, these
include:
• contributions to retirement fund;
• medical benefits for outpatient, specialist and
hospitalisation treatment for employees, spouse and
eligible children;
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018
• group term life and personal accident insurance;
• alternative working hours; and
• provision of housing with clean running water and
sanitation to our plantation workers.
The Group pays at least minimum wage as required by law in
the countries in which the Group operate and in no areas of
operation does minimum wage varies by gender.
In Indonesia, PTNJL’s employees wellness is managed through
an on-site clinic staffed by full-time clinic assistants. PTNJL
also provides free transportation for the workers’ children to
nearby local schools. There is also a crèche at the estate which
is subsidised by the Company that caters to the needs of the
plantation staff and workers. The provision of these facilities
has enabled women to join PTNJL’s workforce.
The Company had subsidised the cost of enrolment in the
iCerdik Program™ for 37 children of Group employees. iCerdik
Program™ is an interactive learning program that online revision
site that can help students to get the best possible results.
Contents of iCerdik Program™ is in line with the curriculum set
by the Ministry of Education. This program provides a dynamic
way to learn beyond the traditional classroom with ready access
to online resources and exam papers. It also enables parents to
engage in their children’s education at home and monitor the
progress thereof.
In February 2018, Group employees and their family members
helped plant 200 bakau kurap or rhizophora mucronata saplings
at the Kuala Selangor Nature Park as part of the efforts to sustain
and conserve the mangrove ecosystem. Participants were also
briefed on the importance of mangroves to the ecosystem as
they serve as a barrier against tidal waves and erosion; and play
a vital role in stabilising the climate as they are a major carbon
sink and oxygen source.