Integrated report 2020

The Budimex Group pays particular attention to the potential risks associated with improper treatment of employees, e.g. activities characterised by discrimination based on sex or nationality. Recent changes on the labour market, resulting in an increased participation of foreign workers, may potentially pose the risk of unequal treatment of foreigners or even of xenophobic behaviours. The Group also ensures full freedom of Inter-Enterprise Trade Union Organisation “Solidarity” and the Trade Union “Budowlani”. The Group also has a Corporate Collective Labour Agreement.

Document named “Principles of the Company’s Responsibility Policy” obligates all employees of the Budimex Group, among others, to respect basic human rights. In turn, the “Principles for the Protection of Human Rights”, the addressees of which are the employees of the Group, its customers, suppliers and contractors, talk about respecting the provisions of the “Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work” of the International Labour Organisation. They bind to non-discriminatory conduct, promoting equal opportunities and valuing diversity, as well as complying with the prohibition of child labour and forced labour, with provision of the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. With regard to customers and local communities, the Budimex Group does not allow any form of discrimination and undertakes to provide information on its activities in a fast, transparent and secure manner.

The Budimex Group undertakes to comply both with the regulations and respect the culture, customs and members of the communities in which it operates. It also seeks to promote human rights, maintain an open dialogue with its stakeholders and engages with local communities. The Group has defined procedures for evaluation and selection of suppliers and contractors aimed at the assurance of respect for human rights at each stage of the supply chain. The principles also provide for the performance of due diligence in the field of human rights.

These aspects were also taken into account in the „CSR Strategy for 2016-2020”, in which the significant objective was the "Elimination of the risk of unethical behaviours" (individual business areas and objectives were assigned indicators and measurable target values). Those aspects are also included in the „CSR strategy for 2021-2023”.

The Code of Ethics and the Compliance Policy constitute the documents that ensure the protection of human rights at operational level in everyday work. Therefore, the matters of human rights violations are governed by the same procedures that define the manner of conduct in the event of corruption prevention (see „Ethical standards”).

Actions taken with respect to human rights protection and promotion include:

cooperation with government administration and non-governmental organisations

completion of social projects

implementation of appropriate procedures

rejection of any type of discrimination and creation of an atmosphere of mutual respect

The obligation to respect human rights applies also to suppliers and contractors. Human rights are included in the Contractor's Code, which they are obliged to sign prior to the commencement of cooperation with the Budimex Group. Compliance with human rights is monitored during audits.

In October 2020, a guide "Forced Labour. „Guidance: how to identify and counteract it” was published, in the preparation of which Budimex also participated”. Its purpose is to support companies in effective counteracting the risk of forced labour in their supply chains or the consequences of cooperating with dishonest temporary employment agencies and subcontractors.