Human Rights
Central Retail respects human rights for all parties involved throughout its value chain. Business operations and labor practices comply with laws, rules, regulations, codes of conduct, and good corporate governance. Central Retail’s Human Rights Policy mirrors its Zero Tolerance for Discrimination and Harassment and is committed to prevent and protect employees at all levels from discrimination, threats, and harassment, both sexual and non-sexual, to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.
The risks of human rights violations present dynamic challenges within specific contextual conditions, shaped by political, social, economic, and cultural dimensions. It is crucial to comprehensively and proactively assess both actual and potential human rights impacts, incorporating remedial measures, aligning with international frameworks.
Target
Impact to Business, Stakeholders, and Human Rights
Ensuring compliance with human rights policies, measures, and practices throughout the value chain is vital for businesses and stakeholders, as it prevents violations, litigation, and obstacles in business operations, negative media attention, and the rejection by consumers and investors. Upholding human rights standards not only reduces risks but also maintains stakeholder trust and protects the organization's reputation. A workplace that respects human rights fosters a culture of fairness and equality, boosting employee motivation, productivity, and creativity, while reducing turnover rates. By involving suppliers in human rights practices, businesses ensure commitment to shared goals, enhancing customer confidence in product and service quality, fostering sustainable growth, and earning trust among shareholders and investors.
Management Approach
Human Rights Governance Structure
Central Retail's Human Rights Policy aligns with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). It encompasses the entire supply chain and addresses issues such as forced labor, human trafficking, child labor, restrictions on the right to collective bargaining, unfair compensation, and discrimination and intimidation in all forms. At the board level, the Corporate Governance and Sustainability Committee is responsible for overseeing human rights risk assessment (HRRA) and human rights due diligence (HRDD). Also reviews and endorses the Human Rights Policy and any related documents. Corporate management of human rights involves a collaborative effort between the human resources, risk management, sustainable development, and supply chain management functions, actively engaging different business units. Central Retail's corporate culture endorses human rights, explicitly forbids discrimination and harassment in all forms, and communicates these principles through training programs.
| Bodies | Roles and Responsibilities |
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Board-Level
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Corporate-Level
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Business Units-Level
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| Employees and suppliers |
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Human Rights Risk Assessment (HRRA) and Due Diligence (HRDD)
The Human Rights Risk Assessment (HRRA) is conducted every two years to systematically monitor, identify, prioritize, mitigate, and remediate any actual and potential human rights risks. This process encompasses Central Retail’s existing business operations, as well as new operations resulting from business growth, mergers and acquisitions, and activities performed by business partners, contractors, suppliers, and joint ventures in the value chain.
Stakeholders covered by the HRRA include employees, communities, suppliers, contractors, customers, labor supply, employees hired by a third party, migrant workers, and vulnerable groups such as women, children, indigenous peoples, migrant workers, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ individuals. The HRRA assesses various human rights issues, including forced labor, child labor, working conditions and labor practices, freedom of association and collective bargaining, freedom of expression, human trafficking, equal compensation, equal opportunity and discrimination, environmental and community rights, access to remedy, human rights violations in the supply chain, and data privacy protection.
At the onset of the HRRA process, Central Retail conducts intensive workshops on human rights for all stakeholders to ensure that respect for human rights is integrated into business operations. This enables stakeholders to contribute to the HRRA through Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD), which involves identifying actual and potential human rights risks and determining the level of impacts. Central Retail initiated the HRDD in 2022 and has since been regularly monitoring the identified risks on a quarterly basis across all five business categories: Food, Fashion, Hardline, Property, and Health and Wellness. Moreover, Central Retail has placed particular emphasis on prioritizing the HRDD for tier-1 suppliers.
| Salient Issues | Scope | Existing Control | Result 2023 | Mitigation and Remediation Actions |
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Health and safety for employees of the Food and Property business categories
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Food and Property business categories in Thailand and Vietnam |
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The identified risks are at a low level. There have been no problems from the identified risks in the past year. |
The Human Resources and Safety Departments are responsible for examining and thoroughly monitoring the identified risk issues. Any identified issues can be promptly addressed before they lead to any negative impacts. In the event of incidents, the issues will be escalated and processed through CRC’s remedy procedure. |
Central Retail has been tracking human rights performance, covering relevant risks, reported cases, and the implementation of mitigation and remediation actions, with both financial and non-financial compensation. In 2023, Central Retail identified human rights risks and has implemented mitigation and remediation actions covering 100% of its operations. Central Retail's human rights management processes are communicated and disclosed to external stakeholders for transparency. Additionally, Central Retail implements various human rights awareness programs, including:
- Utilizing internal communication channels to educate employees about human rights.
- Conducting Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) training.
- Establishing guidelines for corrective actions and remedial measures in case of human rights violations.
- Thorough monitoring of human rights issues, with no significant issues arising from identified risks in the past year.
Whistleblowing Channels for Human Rights Violations
Central Retail has established whistleblowing channels for reporting human rights violations:
Whistleblowing Channels for Human Rights Violation
Inform via email at CRCWhistleblower@central.co.th or postal mail at
Head of Internal Audit Department Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited 22 Soi Somkid, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330For complaints against the Chief Executive Officer, directly inform Chairman of the Audit Committee via email at AuditChairman@central.co.th or postal mail to
Chairman of the Audit Committee Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited 22 Soi Somkid, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Central Retail has established the Welfare Committee to encourage employees to openly converse, negotiate, or discuss welfare and benefits. In 2023, 100% of the employees were covered by the Welfare Committee.
Project Highlights
Human Rights Risk Assessment Workshop and Sustainable Development Program
Central Retail provides training for employees to raise awareness and understanding of Human Rights Risks and ESG knowledge covering Human Rights in business operations and supply chain, Human Rights Risk Assessment, and the ESG framework. In 2023, 5 training sessions were held, with 74 employees and 152 suppliers participating in the Human Rights Risk Assessment Workshop.
Internal Communication Channels
Internal Communication Channel aims to provide basic knowledge and raise awareness among employees on topics such as human rights, discrimination and harassment, and diversity & inclusion. The program utilizes various channels, including Email, posters, signage, and videos, to communicate with employees. In 2023, more than 10 articles were shared, receiving positive feedback from employees on how it encourages a good working environment and respect for each other's differences.
Human Rights Awards 2023
Central Retail was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Human Rights Award 2023 (Large Corporation Category) by the Rights and Liberties Protection Department of the Ministry of Justice. This award recognizes Central Retail's commitment to social equality, governance, and sustainability. It highlights efforts in improving societal well-being and enhancing the quality of life for people, inspiring further efforts to make a lasting impact on society.
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