Principles of Ethical Business Conduct Medicina Laboral de Venezuela C.A. (version 1.1)

 

Caracas, March 4, 2012

Based on Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)

 

1. Workers have the right to choose freely whether to opt for and hold office in Medicina Laboral de Venezuela C.A.:

-Work is not approved in involuntary imprisonment, forced or slavery.

-Workers do not have to leave the custody of the employer deposits or identity papers and are free to leave employment after reasonable notice at any time.

 

2. Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected:

-Workers, without distinction, have the right to join or form trade unions of their own choosing and to bargain collectively.

-The employer adopts an open attitude towards the activities of trade unions attitude, and their organizational activities.

-The workers' representatives are not discriminated against and have access to carry out their representative functions in the workplace.

-Where the law restricting the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, the employer facilitates, and does not hinder the development of parallel means of association and bargaining freely and independently
.

 

3. Working conditions are safe and hygienic:

-A safe and hygienic working environment shall be provided, bearing in mind the LOPCYMAT, "partial rules", "COVENIN rules" and conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The necessary measures are taken to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, associated with, or occurring in the course of work, by minimizing, so far as is reasonable, the causes of hazards inherent in the environment labor.

-Workers will be trained regularly and recorded health and hygiene. The new workers will join the training schedule of the company prior to induction basic use of extinguishers and brief explanation of the emergency plan of the company.

-He access to clean toilets and drinking water provided.

-Workers have the freedom to eat during your lunch break outside Medicina Laboral de Venezuela C.A. facilities, or areas previously designated for it.

-The company guarantees hygienic places for food storage.

-The accommodation, if necessary, be clean, safe and meet the basic needs of workers (including workers who will field).

-Permanently the activities of the Committee of Safety and Health at Work remains active, including meetings between representatives of the employer and prevention delegates.

 

4. No hand employ child labor:

-There will be no recruitment of child labor.

-In case of recruitment of young people between 16 and 18, shall not engage in night or in hazardous conditions. His last working day up to 6 hours.

 

5. Living wages are paid.

-Wages and benefits paid shall at the current Labour Law. Wages will always be high enough to meet basic needs and to provide some discretionary income.

-Will be provided to all employees information in writing and understandable information about their working conditions in respect to wages before they enter employment (written contract) and the details of their wages for the pay period concerned each time that they are paid.

-Deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure shall not be permitted nor shall any deductions provided for by national law without the consent of the worker concerned.

- All disciplinary measures should be recorded in writing.

 

6. Working hours are not excessive:

-Working hours comply with the current Labour Law. In any event, workers regularly work more than 40 hours per week and provided with at least two days off by an average of 7 days.

-Overtime is not allowed to avoid fatigue and stress for workers. If carried out, shall be voluntary on the part of workers and not exceed 6 hours per week, shall not be demanded on a regular basis and shall always be compensated with payment.

 

7. There is no discrimination:

-There will be no discrimination in hiring, compensation, training, promotion, termination or retirement based on ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, status, sexual orientation, trade union or political affiliation.

 

8. Regular employment is provided:

-In all aspects, the work performed must be based on recognized employment relationship established through existing Labour Law.

-The obligations to employees, subject to the Labor Law in force, shall not be avoided through the use of labor contracts, subcontracts or contracts for working at home, or through apprenticeship schemes where there is no intention of impart skills or provide regular employment, nor evade these obligations through the excessive use of fixed-term contracts.

 

9. Do not allow inhuman or severe treatment:

-Physical abuse or punishment is prohibited, threatening physical abuse, sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation.

 

10. About bribes, gratuities and contributions:

-The use of company funds on illicit purposes for any purpose is prohibited, therefore, is strictly forbidden for the bribes, gratuities, or direct or indirect contributions to unions, government officials, political parties or candidates. Any such request shall be forwarded by the Executive Director, who will define the course of action to follow. The violation of this provision according to Venezuelan law, resulting in civil and criminal crimes of nature for the company and the people involved.

 

The Executive Management