The aim is to improve working conditions in the petroleum sector in line with the UN’s guiding principles on business and human rights as well as key conventions from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
This will be done by establishing a global framework for such audits, which are offered on a third-party basis to members of the service, and by making audit work more efficient and transparent through sharing the reports produced between member companies.
“The human rights audits are a global service for sharing reports covering audited suppliers in the energy sector,” explains Ralph Daber, director for digital collaboration at Norwegian Oil and Gas. “They will be managed and financed by the companies taking part at any given time.
“This is the first service we’re launching internationally, and the first time we’re creating a service which is also open to companies without activities on the Norwegian continental shelf.”
Six companies have currently signed up to the service, but the aim is to increase this number significantly in coming years.
Companies can choose between different types of audits, either desktop or physical. These cover standardised topics and protocols to be reviewed, and common checklists are under development.
Subjects addressed in the audits include labour by children and young people, modern slavery, ethical recruitment, employment terms, non-discrimination, the right to organise and working conditions (pay, overtime compensation and working time).
In addition come complaint mechanisms, supplier standards, gender identity and sexual orientation, safety arrangements and effects on local communities.
“We want these audits to improve supplier quality throughout the value chain,” says Svein Håkon Fjelltun, domain manager for quality, health, safety and the environment (QHSE) in the digital collaboration department at Norwegian Oil and Gas.
Companies interested in taking advantage of the new service can contact Fjelltun.
Contact information
Svein Håkon Fjelltun, Norwegian Oil and Gas Association, mob: +47 988 99 442, e-mail: shf@norog.no.
