Human Rights
Respecting human rights is an integral part of the Bank’s responsibilities, the Bank acknowledges that our business as a financial intermediary can potentially impact human rights. The Bank and our clients have the responsibility to respect human rights in accordance with national regulations, as well as the global authoritative framework defined by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) that sets out corporate sustainability to respect human rights and for carrying out due diligence to prevent and address abuses. Thus, the Bank has defined Human Rights Policy in 2019 that is in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UN Global Compact Principles, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and International Labour Organization.
Following the launch of Human Rights Policy, the Bank has conducted human rights risk assessment to identify human rights risks in the entire value chain of the business operation, manage and mitigate the impacts. The Bank commits to engage with stakeholders to identify salient human rights issues. The scope covers the Bank’s operation including subsidiaries, where Bank has operational control and relevant stakeholder e.g. employees, customers, suppliers, contractors, communities, and vulnerable groups (e.g. indigenous people, children, migrant labor). The Bank will place additional measures to those areas identified with high human rights risks. In addition, the Bank will proactively address and remedy any human rights impacts in case where human rights has been violated.
Our human rights risk assessment is conducted every three years while the mitigation measures for high risk issues are monitored annually.
Furthermore, the Bank has extended human rights risk managing concept to our core business, lending business, as stated in the Environmental and Social Responsibility Policy. Such practice is part of our ways towards sustainable finance.
To prevent human rights violations, the Bank has incorporated human rights policy training into its mandatory training courses. Both internal and external stakeholders can report violations through the whistleblowing channel. The Bank ensures the confidentiality of whistleblowers and the details of their reports. Relevant parties are responsible for investigating reported cases and implementing measures to remedy any harm caused. The Bank is committed to providing remedies to affected individuals when it is found to have caused or contributed to human rights impacts.
In 2024, the Bank recorded zero incidents of human rights violations.
The Nomination, Remuneration, and Corporate Governance Committee (NRCC), delegated by the Board, is authorized to review and provide recommendations on the Bank’s sustainability policy to ensure alignment with long-term business objectives. This includes policies related to human rights, as well as strategic sustainability issues and directions, prior to submission to the Board for approval. The Audit Committee oversees the implementation of the Human Rights Policy in relation to employee matters.
For day-to-day operations, the Employee Relations Department serves as the primary contact for employee-related issues, ensuring fair treatment and compliance with policies. For other stakeholders—such as customers, suppliers, and communities—relevant departments including Customer Experience, Procurement, and Sustainability are responsible for stakeholder engagement and ensuring alignment with the Bank’s human rights and sustainability commitments.
Human Rights Policy
Human Rights Report 2023