Supplier code of conduct

Code of conduct for suppliers

Kuoni Specialists Ltd. and all its subsidiary companies (herein referred to as ‘Avontuur’) acknowledge its responsibility towards society to be a good corporate citizen. In order to reach its goals within Corporate Responsibility, Avontuur cooperates closely with its own employees, customers, partners such as NGOs, locals at destinations and its suppliers.  Avontuur wants to ensure that its local agents and any other suppliers (herein referred to as ‘Supplier’ or collectively as ‘Suppliers’) take part in this action towards more sustainable tourism. This Supplier Code of Conduct forms an integral part of Avontuur’s contract with its Suppliers.

1) Compliance with Applicable Law in General

Avontuur expects its Suppliers to comply with all applicable international, national and local laws and regulations, industry minimum standards and any other relevant statutory requirements whichever requirements are more stringent. Supplier is aware of the sustainability policy of Avontuur, which has been send to Supplier via e-mail.

Anti-Bribery and -Anti–Corruption

• Supplier shall comply with all applicable laws, statutes, regulations, codes, etc. relating to anti-bribery and anti-corruption.
• Supplier shall refrain from engaging in any form of bribery or corruption (incl. facilitation payments) when dealing with private parties or public officials. In particular, Supplier shall not offer, provide, authorise, request or receive any financial or other advantage (i.e. gifts or hospitality) with the intent or prospect of influencing or determining the recipient’s decision-making or other conduct and/or as an inducement or reward for the improper performance of a person’s relevant function.
• If Supplier acts on behalf of Kuoni and becomes aware of any suspicious, risky or corrupt conduct, he/she must immediately report it to and follow any instructions by Kuoni.

2) Transport:

• Means of transport should comply with the legal local standard.
• Supplier should consider minimum quality and safety arguments when selecting coach transport.
• Supplier is responsible for training of drivers and a code of conduct with regards to driving.
• Supplier will take care of environmentally friendly transport, if available.
• Supplier will make efforts to use the latest models of transport, which exhale the least amount of CO2 and will try to renew these models on a regular basis.

3) Accommodation:

• Supplier will stimulate the use of accommodations that do not damage the environment and will prefer the use of sustainable accommodation, in case of equal possibilities.
• In case of clear evidence that contracted accommodations jeopardize the provision or integrity of basic services such as food, water, energy, healthcare or soil to the neighboring communities it can be reason to terminate the co-operation with the accommodation.
• Preference is given to accommodations that work with internationally acknowledged (e.g. GSTC recognized) and/or Travelife certification (taking into account price and comfort criteria).
• Basic/standard sustainability clause(s) are included in all Supplier’s contracts with accommodation providers. (e.g. child labour, anti-corruption and bribery, waste management and protection of biodiversity).

4) Entertainment/excursions:

• Excursions and attractions in which captive wildlife is held are not offered, except for properly regulated activities in compliance with local, national and international law. Excursions which include interactions with wildlife comply with relevant codes of conduct. Any disturbance of natural ecosystems is minimized.
• Where available preference is given to excursions that operate on the basis of acknowledged and controlled sustainability standards.
• The company offers no products or services of excursion providers that harm humans, animals, plants, natural resources (e.g. water/energy), or which are socially/culturally unacceptable.

5) Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents

• The Supplier allows or tolerates no sexual exploitation of children at the premises and facilities of subcontracted accommodations.
• Any suspicious behavior from guests, employees, staff from suppliers of the Supplier or any other person on the Suppliers premises or during excursions must be report to the local authorities by the Supplier.
• Avontuur.nu will end the contractual agreement prematurely if the Supplier does not take adequate measures to prevent sexual exploitation of children within the direct supply chain (e.g. accommodations and excursions).

6) Human Rights & Labour conditions

Local partners comply with all relevant national laws protecting the rights of employees.

Basic Rights:

• The Supplier shall not discriminate based on gender, age, religion, race, tribe, caste, social background, disability, nationality, membership in workers’ organizations, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristics;
• All employees shall be free to enter their employment with the Supplier through their own choice and shall also be free to terminate their employment when they choose without penalty, as long as the process occurs in accordance with the (oral or written) employment contract;
• All forms of forced labour are forbidden;
• The freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining shall be recognized by the Supplier;
• Workplace practice and conditions which violate basic rights are not allowed: Physical abuse or punishment or threat of physical abuse or punishment, any kind of sexual or other harassment and other forms of intimidation are prohibited;
• The Supplier provides a means through which staff can make representation to senior management about key employment issues.
• The Supplier provides for an effective complaints procedure through which employees may raise grievances (including those about harassment) and seek redress.

Child labour:

• Supplier shall not employ children younger than 15 years of age unless local minimum age law stipulates a higher age for work or mandatory schooling, in which case the higher age applies. If however, local minimum age law is set at 14 years of age in accordance with developing country exceptions under ILO Convention No. 138, the lower age applies.
• If Supplier employs young people between the age of 14 and 18, the Supplier shall treat them with particular consideration, for example by restricting their working hours.

Safe workplace:

• Supplier shall provide a safe and hygienic working environment. Supplier shall take adequate steps to prevent diseases, accidents and injuries arising during work;
• If housing is provided by Supplier, this has to be in line with local and national laws and standards.
• Supplier shall ensure that fire alarms, fire extinguishers, unobstructed emergency exits are provided in all areas, including staff facilities. Evacuation drills must be part of the employees’ training and repeated regularly.

Wages and working hours:

• Wages paid by the Supplier must meet or exceed legal minimums and/or industry standards. No illegal or unauthorized deductions from wages are allowed;
• Working hours of the employees are to be kept in line with the legal requirements and / or industry standards;
• The employees shall be granted their stipulated annual leave and sick leave without any form of repercussions;
• Female employees shall be granted their stipulated maternity leave and other rights in case of pregnancy.

7) Environment

• Suppliers shall minimize their negative impact on the environment;
• The Supplier shall actively reduce the amount of energy and water used and shall minimize the use of chemicals known to cause damage or pose risks to health and/or the environment;
• The Supplier shall comply with mandatory national and international law, particularly in regard to the procedures and standards for waste management, handling and disposal of chemicals and other dangerous materials, emissions and effluent treatment;
• The Supplier shall monitor and control wastewater and solid waste generated and shall treat it as required prior to discharge or disposal;
• Waste of all types shall be reduced to the greatest extent possible by the Supplier.
• Supplier shall comply with the animal welfare standards outlined in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and in ABTA’s Animal Welfare Minimum Requirements.

8) Local Sourcing and benefiting communities

• The Supplier shall actively choose locally produced goods in preference to imported ones wherever possible.
• The Supplier shall promote local products and services to guests, by recommending guides, restaurants, markets and craft centres wherever possible.

9) Monitoring & Enforcement

Principle of Trust

• As a principle, Avontuur trusts all its Suppliers to respect the terms and conditions of this Supplier Code of Conduct and to actively do their utmost to achieve Avontuur’s standards.

Sphere & influence

• The Supplier shall ensure that the principles set forth herein are communicated, implemented and adopted within their own business. The Supplier shall involve employees, management and other stakeholders such as the communities in an appropriate way;
• The Supplier is encouraged to take steps to promote adherence to this Supplier Code of Conduct throughout their own supply chain. However, the Suppliers sub-contractors are not bound by the terms of this Supplier Code of Conduct.

Monitoring

• When being prompted, the Supplier shall report in a self-assessment modus about its compliance and progress in all matters mentioned herein. The Supplier shall complete the self-assessment forms fully, promptly and accurately;
• The Supplier agrees that its premises and facilities may be inspected and its compliance may be audited at any time by Avontuur and/or its representatives. The Supplier shall support such audit as far as reasonably possible.

Non-compliance

If the Supplier is in breach of the terms and conditions of this Supplier Code of Conduct (e.g. evidence of child labor, or an employee of the Supplier acting as an intermediary for child prostitution, or disregard of ecological legislation) Avontuur shall be entitled to terminate any contract and cooperation with the Supplier with immediate effect and reserves to take any further legal action at its discretion.