Grievances - Hargy Oil Palms

Hargy Oil Palms is committed to ensuring that all of its internal and external stakeholders can raise grievances with confidence that they will be heard and addressed impartially, without fear of reprisals. The SIPEF Group Grievance Policy sets the framework for all grievance procedures and is adapted to the specific contexts of each country in which we operate.

Key features of this policy include, but are not limited to:

• the option to submit grievances anonymously;
• escalation of grievances from country level to Group level;
• an appeal mechanism;
• meetings and/or the option of third-party mediation to support grievance resolution;
• the option for aggrieved stakeholders to pursue resolution through the legal system, should they choose to do so;
• protection for whistleblowers, with sanctions or disciplinary action available in cases of breaches of confidentiality;
• the option to report a grievance via the SIPEF website.

Grievance and whistleblower procedures

Grievance procedures are public documents, accessible to all stakeholders. Clear flowcharts are displayed in public areas of operations and provided in languages understood by stakeholders.

The procedures allow for the escalation of grievances, similar to an appeal system. Where agreed by all parties, qualified, neutral third parties may be invited to support the resolution of grievances. Stakeholders also have the right to pursue legal avenues if they prefer.

Whistleblowers are protected, and strict sanctions are applied to any employees who breach this provision. Reporting a grievance is made as simple and safe as possible, including through dedicated pages on the websites of country operations.

A specific Group Policy addresses sexual harassment and the reporting of related cases. Gender Committees have been established within operations to provide education and mediation on gender issues.

Grievances Dashboard

The dashboard below highlights the most significant grievances received by SIPEF since 2013, including all complaints handled through the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Complaints Mechanism.

Grievances may go through multiple phases and involve various stakeholders. Some grievances may remain confidential, in whole or in part, to protect the rights of all parties and ensure a fair resolution process.