Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ is committed to respect human rights in our operations and in our value chain in line with theÌýUN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ’s Human Rights Policy is complemented by related policies such as the Employment policy, the Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ Code of Conduct and the Supplier Code of Conduct.
Respect for human rights guides Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ’s action across the value chain, contributing to a sustainable transport system. During 2022 Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ conducted a cross-functional assessment of the salient issues as well as a management review of the readiness in Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ’s way of working to meet the human rights standards we are committed to.
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With basis in the review, the salient issues have been updated and mapped across the Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ value chain. We have created a new framework for tracking progress and deviations in the human rights area, as well as a roadmap for the work moving forward.Ìý
Road safety is a key priority at Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ, as trucks are overrepresented in fatal accidents and a sustainable transport system is safe for everyone. Vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists are at higher risk to be harmed and therefore require special attention. We also have a broad portfolio of both products and services to strengthen the safety on the roads. Since most accidents are due to human errors it starts with the driver. The driver is the most important factor for a safe journey.
By creating good working conditions we prevent work-related injuries and ill health and promote well-being at work.
Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ continuously strive to be a responsible employer in all countries where we operate, and provide decent work including adequate wages, work-life balance through Ìýthe partnership and dialogue with our employee representatives in the world.
Several of Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ’s salient human rights issues relate to our responsibility as an employer. Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ has a solid ground and experience to stand on within theseÌýareas, but has also identified improvement needs with regards to visibility and alignment of approaches at the global level.Ìý
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In the area of working conditions, Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ has a Group policy that regulates minimum standards such as working hours, weekly rest periods, vacation and sick leave for employees.Ìý
During 2021, Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ developed a human rights e-learning course that is available for all Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ employees. The e-learning focuses on education withinÌýthe concept of human rights, as well as Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ’s impacts and responsibilities in the area.
Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ does not accept child labour and managers shall take all reasonable measures to prevent and ensure that child labour does not take place.Ìý
We work proactively against forced labour and Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ rejects all use of forced or compulsory labour as well as all forms of modern slavery including human trafficking.
Social dialogue is a process involving representatives ofÌýemployees, employers and in some cases governments. ItÌýincludes information sharing on subjects of commonÌýinterest, consultation and all types of negotiation. Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æÌýbelieves that social dialogue is one of the most importantÌýfactors in being a successful and sustainable company. We respect the basic right of employees to freely, voluntarilyÌýand without interference establish and join, or not join,Ìýunions and employee representation of their own choiceÌýand to bargain collectively
We carefully work with the concerns that the future deployment of AI, including the use in connected and autonomous vehicles, will potentially be misused, particularly in certain contexts where privacy and data protection are poorly protected or subject to cyberattacks.​
At Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ, we seek to capture the knowledge, experience and ambition of each individual to continuously improve what we do, and how we do it. There shall be no form of discrimination based on gender, age, religion or other belief, caste, social background, disability, health, ethnic, national or territorial origin, nationality, language, union membership or membership in any other legitimated organisation, political affiliation or opinion (as long as they show tolerance towards those who have different beliefs), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, marital status, disease, pregnancy, or other conditions that could give rise to discrimination. We commit to a workplace free of harassment and foster a social environment with respect for the individual.
Just transition for us at Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ means that the decarbonisation of the transport system should be done in a way that is fair and inclusive to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.Ìý
As a global company, Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ operates in markets with political volatility, conflict and social unrest. Our early commitment to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights has enabled us to set up processes to assess human rights risks, Ìýimplement mitigation measures and conduct heightened human rights due diligence when necessary.
Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ is supporting the Marikana Youth Centre: a project helping children and young people develop skills and explore opportunities beyond platinum mining.
Wherever we operate in the world, our engagement in the community is a great contribution but also a task that carries great responsibility.
Addressing climate change and its associated impacts is important for the transport sector. Climate-related risks refer to events or developments arising from climate change that may have a negative impact on achieving company objectives. Climate risk considerations also include events stemming from Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ’s operations that contribute to the adverse effects of climate change, or indirectly have an impact on the environment and people. Sustainability and climate-related risks are integrated in Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ’s risk management process.
With the German Supply Chain Act implemented in 2023, Volkswagen and TRATON are also active in building up a risk-based approach to human rights, and in the work described above lies opportunities for synergies and joint approaches within the Group. Ìǹûvlog¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³°æ is takingÌýpart in the work in the Group and has for 2022 published the TRATON Human Rights Statement.Ìý
