Human Rights Policy
As Gürmen Giyim Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., as part of the value we place on people, we hereby declare and undertake that we will act with respect for human rights in all our activities, comply with the requirements of the policy detailed below, and ensure the establishment of the necessary awareness accordingly.
Respect for human rights is an indispensable value of Gürmen’s culture of social responsibility.
The purpose of this Policy is to formalize our Company’s commitments to human rights as recognized under national and international legislation and to define the principles to be applied for human rights due diligence within the scope of our activities. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the principles supporting the United Nations Global Compact, the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) (including Convention No. 169), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and our Company’s Code of Ethics constitute our guiding framework.
- Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining
Our Company respects employees’ rights to establish, join, and participate in trade unions or other forms of workers’ organizations, as well as their right to engage in collective bargaining.
- Non-Discrimination
Our Company provides equal opportunities to all employees and does not discriminate under any circumstances. No individual shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, language, or any other material or moral difference. Any practice or behavior that may encourage discrimination, even at an associative or implicit level, is unacceptable. The human rights of the communities in which we operate are respected.
- Prevention of Violence and Harassment
Our Company treats all employees with respect and dignity and ensures that employees are not subjected to pressure, violence, harassment, inhuman or degrading treatment in the workplace under any circumstances.
- Fair Remuneration
Our Company respects employees’ right to fair remuneration and works toward ensuring wages that enable a decent standard of living. Wage levels are determined in a manner that reflects employees’ skills and educational levels. In accordance with applicable legislation, all wages, insurance, tax-related rights and payments are paid to employees in a timely, fair, regular and complete manner without discrimination.
- Reasonable Working Hours
Our Company complies with legal regulations regarding working hours, does not regularly require overtime, and provides employees with at least one day off per week. Overtime work is based on voluntariness.
- Occupational Health and Safety
Our Company provides a healthy and safe working environment, identifies actual and potential risks related to employees’ health and safety, and takes all necessary measures to eliminate or reduce such risks.
- Prevention of Child Labour
Our Company does not employ, directly or indirectly, any worker below the legal minimum working age.
- Special Protection for Young Workers
Our Company provides special protection to young employees who are not yet adults against working conditions that may negatively affect their health, safety, mental or physical development. Young workers participate in all training programs—particularly occupational health and safety trainings—like other employees, with greater sensitivity and regularity. They are employed on equal terms in terms of remuneration, general operations and workplace arrangements, and may benefit from grievance mechanisms whenever needed.
- Contribution to Employment
In order to support sustainable economic and social development, priority is given to local employment in our operations.
- Prevention of Precarious Employment
Our Company employs workers based on legally documented contracts. Neither our Company nor its business partners engage in any form of slavery, forced labor, bonded labor, debt bondage, illegal or involuntary labor, directly or indirectly, and we comply with international principles related to recruitment responsibilities.
- Voluntary Employment
All employees are employed voluntarily under equal conditions in suitable positions. Our Company does not participate in any form of slavery, forced labor, bonded labor, temporary or loaned labor, human trafficking-based or involuntary employment, including state-imposed forced labor practices, either directly or through business partners. Employment within our Company is based on voluntariness, without retention or confiscation of debts, documents or personal belongings, and in full compliance with legal conditions.
- Gender Equality / Diversity and Inclusion
Compliance with Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality and the ILO principles on gender equality in working life is committed to. No gender-based discrimination is practiced within our Company. All legal rights and protections granted to female employees are fully implemented. All differences that make individuals unique are considered a source of richness. A working environment is provided in which everyone is respected, feels valued and safe, and where equal opportunity is ensured in all business practices. Diversity and inclusion are actively supported.
- Environmental Protection
Our Company takes the necessary measures to prevent environmental degradation. Measures are implemented to prevent, reduce and remediate negative impacts on surrounding communities, natural resources, climate and the general environment.
- Ethical Conduct and Anti-Bribery
Our Company does not engage, directly or indirectly, in corruption, fraud, embezzlement or bribery in any activity it is involved in. A firm and zero-tolerance approach is adopted against any conduct to the contrary.
- Employee Engagement and Protection
Our Company maintains a transparent grievance and suggestion mechanism. Employees are informed of their rights and responsibilities, provided with training for personal and professional development, and their contributions and ideas are valued and protected. Employees may communicate their requests and complaints to management through employer representatives, managers, employee representatives or the Human Resources department, and such matters are analyzed and resolved by management.
In addition to the provisions already defined in this Policy and in the Governance and Sustainability System, our Company explicitly commits to the following:
a) Rejecting child labor, forced or compulsory labor, and all forms of modern slavery, and ensuring and encouraging the elimination of such practices throughout our suppliers and supply chains;
b) Respecting freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining;
c) Respecting the right to freedom of movement within each country;
d) Refraining from discrimination under any circumstance or characteristic;
e) Respecting the rights of ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples in the locations where we operate and supporting open dialogue that embraces diverse cultural frameworks;
f) Respecting environmental rights by taking into account the expectations and needs of all communities in which we operate.