Human rights
EVN is committed to the unlimited protection of human rights in all areas of its activities. An important tool for this protection is the inclusion of human rights clauses in contracts. These clauses cover investment and procurement practices, equal opportunity, freedom of assembly, right of collective negotiations, the abolishment of child labour and forced labour, complaint procedures, safety measures and the rights of indigenous people. In 2005, EVN joined the UN Global Compact and thereby agreed to compliance with human rights principles at all its locations and business areas. These principles are specified in the EVN Code of Conduct; they are binding for all employees in all business units and available to the general public. Implementation throughout the EVN Group is ensured by the availability of the code in German and English as well as its translation into the languages of the subsidiaries in Bulgaria, Macedonia and Russia. The EVN Code of Conduct is regularly adapted to reflect current developments and changes in legal requirements. Since EVN requires the same strict compliance with its principles and values from suppliers and service providers, the integrity clause also applies to these firms. EVN rejects forced relocation as well as physical or economic displacement and complies with all relevant international guidelines and national laws.
- GRI indicator: Investment agreements with human rights clauses (HR1)
- For more information on the EVN Code of Conduct, see www.responsibility.evn.at
- For the integrity clause, go to www.evn.at/integrity-clause
- Details on the application of the integrity clause to suppliers and service providers can be found here.
EVN supports the UN Global Compact
- Principle 1: EVN supports and respects the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.
- Principle 2: EVN makes sure that it is not complicit in human rights abuses.
- Principle 3: EVN upholds the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
- Principle 4: EVN supports the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour.
- Principle 5: EVN supports the effective abolition of child labour.
- Principle 6: EVN supports the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
- Principle 7: EVN supports a precautionary approach to environ mental challenges.
- Principle 8: EVN undertakes many national and international initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
- Principle 9: EVN encourages the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
- Principle 10: EVN works against corruption in all its forms.
Compliance with human rights principles is the responsibility of the Executive Board, which is supported by the EVN compliance officer. The training programme on the Code of Conduct, which covers the prevention of corruption as well as the human rights aspects relevant for company activities, involves 2.5 hours of training per employee per year.
- GRI indicator: Number of hours of training on companyrelevant human rights aspects (HR3)
- Detailed information on EVN‘s compliance management can be found Governance, commitments and engagement and Internal audit and risk management at EVN.
