| Supply chain survey |
To determine the level of understanding and extent of application
of sustainability strategies and practices of our Tier 1 vendors,
the Procurement department conducted a survey of 10 global and
local companies. The questionnaire survey covered a number of
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) indicators and United Nations Global
Compact (UNGC) principles and we received a 100% response rate.
The results allowed us to better identify and understand the vendors’
current and future sustainability issues, and how these relate to
Singtel’s own requirements.
Around 90% of our Tier 1 vendors declared that they have
related policies and processes in place to address some of the
environmental and social issues relevant to their sector. Issues such
as potential environmental impact, clear labelling, screening of
human rights, child labour and forced labour were all addressed to
some degree. |
|
| Issues covered by the Sustainability Survey of vendors |
Category |
Issues |
CSR Policy Awareness
and Implementation |
•
•
• |
Goal and objectives
Level of implementation
Awareness level of employees |
|
Human Rights and
Labour Conditions |
•
•
•
•
• |
Human rights
Prohibition of forced labour
Prohibition of inhumane treatment
Prohibition of child labour
Prohibition of discrimination |
|
Health, Safety and
Environment (HSE) |
•
•
•
•
•
•
• |
Potential environmental impact
Pollution prevention
Recycling
Energy conservation
Waste minimisation
Sustainable transport options
Employee health and safety management |
|
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| Moving responsible procurement forward |
Singtel was greatly encouraged by the positive outcome of the
sustainability survey. Moving forward we want the tender process to
identify organisations that are unable to meet our required standards
or encourage them towards improved performance.
We are currently in the process of developing a Code of Conduct
for Vendors for inclusion into our tender pack. This initiative, which
should be ready for implementation in FY2013, will provide clear
expectations for vendors in all procurement dealings with Singtel,
ensuring that internationally recognised procurement standards are
understood and followed.
Environmental considerations have already been incorporated into the tender evaluation phase and higher evaluation points can be given to products or services which have less impact on the environment. For example, in a tender for air-conditioning chillers at one of our Data Centres, we awarded to a vendor whose products met higher environmental standards relating to the use of a specific
greenhouse gas.
We are also assessing the immediate inclusion of at least two GRI
indicators or UNGC principles into our tender evaluations. We hope
to raise awareness and enforce the application of pro-human rights
criteria during the tender process. The two issues being addressed
are child and forced labour.
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| • |
Child Labour - Vendors will ensure their hiring practices conform to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions for minimum working age and child labour. Vendors are encouraged to develop lawful workplace apprenticeship programmes for the educational benefit of their workers.
|
| • |
Forced Labour - Vendors should strictly comply with the
Forced Labour Convention as it is a criminal act which
prohibits the use of forced labour in their operations. Forced
labour is defined as any work or service that someone
performs involuntarily, including under threat of physical
harm or other such penalty. |
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