Human Rights
Basic Views
In accordance with the Sumitomo Spirit and the Sumitomo Electric Group Corporate Principles, the Sumitomo Electric Group values a high standard of corporate ethics and unwaveringly upholds the basic policy of conducting fair and honest business activities.
As we continue to develop together with global society, respect for human rights needs to remain a prerequisite for conducting all of our business activities.
Based on the underlying philosophies, we have always promoted initiatives to ensure respect for human rights, including efforts to solve discrimination. In addition, the Sumitomo Electric Group Code of Conduct stipulates respect for human rights and prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment. In March 2019, we established the Sumitomo Electric Group Policy on Human Rights in order to clearly indicate our commitment to accommodating the needs of a wide variety of stakeholders and respecting human rights in compliance with international standards.
To ensure that our initiatives are promoted in line with this policy, we will implement training programs to educate employees about human rights and conduct fact-finding investigations regularly at all of our stakeholders, including domestic and overseas affiliates and business partners, while setting specific operational guidelines as necessary.
*Please see the following page for the Sumitomo Spirit, the Sumitomo Electric Group Corporate Principles, and the Sumitomo Electric Group Charter of Corporate Behavior. Corporate Philosophy
Targets
Targets to achieve the Mid-term Management Plan 2025
-
Human rights due diligence: Examination of key risks and implementation of prevention and mitigation measures for Group companies
-
Human rights training: Promotion of training and awareness-raising for discrimination, harassment, and other human rights issues
-
Supplier Code of Conduct: Requests to engage in human rights and labor relations efforts based on the Supplier Code of Conduct
Human Rights Initiatives in the Sumitomo Electric Group
Human Rights Due Diligence in the Sumitomo Electric Group
The Sumitomo Electric Group has been implementing human rights due diligence since fiscal year 2022 in accordance with the Sumitomo Electric Group Policy on Human Rights in order to further promote efforts for respect for human rights within the Sumitomo Electric Group.
*Please see the following page for Supply Chain Initiatives.
Initiatives for Respect for Human Rights in FY2024
PDF Download（44kb）Human Rights Risk Prevention and Mitigation Initiatives
-
Human rights education and training
-
Cooperation with human rights organizations and government agencies
-
Establishment of consultation services
Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
The Sumitomo Electric Group Policy on Human Rights is based on the United Nations’ International Bill of Human Rights and Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, as well as the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which stipulates freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
Guided by the basic principles of labor-management equality, coexistence and co-prosperity based on mutual trust, and resolution through thorough discussion, Sumitomo Electric and the SEI Labor Union are working together to create an environment in which employees can work in a lively manner.
The labor agreement covers matters such as working conditions for union members, safety and health, collective bargaining, union activities, and a labor-management council. Based on this labor agreement, the Central Management Council meets four times a year, where representatives of labor and management exchange opinions on the Company’s management condition and other issues. Various other deliberating bodies have also been established to enable labor and management to discuss issues such as working hours and employee benefit systems.
Sumitomo Electric has concluded a union shop agreement, and 100% of regular employees are Union members.
Additionally, the Sumitomo Electric Group Labor Union, to which the labor unions of Sumitomo Electric and some Group companies in Japan belong, holds round-table meetings twice a year as opportunities for information sharing and opinion exchange between labor and management of member companies.
Overseas Group companies also strive to improve working conditions and gain a comprehensive understanding of business conditions through dialogue between labor and management in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country and region.
