The Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, Ministry of Justice, handed out the “Human Rights Awards 2022” in the large corporation sector to Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CP Foods). The award affirmed CP Foods outstanding and exemplary practices to promote equality and recognize diversities. The practices underscore the inclusion of human rights principles throughout the supply chain and engagement with business partners and the greater society.  

Ms. Pimonrat Reephattanavijitkul, Chief People Officer at CP Foods, said that human rights are a part of the Company’s path towards sustainability. Under the “CPF 2030 Sustainability in Action” Strategy, CP Foods has continually and systematically conducted human rights activities, with emphasis on the management of differences and recognition in diversities. The strategy calls for fair, equitable and non-discriminatory treatments of workforce and all stakeholder groups. It also requires the CP Foods to share its knowledge and experiences in human rights with business partners and farmers in the supply chain, to ensure best practices on workforce. Their human rights status is comprehensively and systematically appraised and the results form the basis of further improvement, to reduce violation risks and mitigate possible impacts induced by the Company’s operations. 

Moreover, CP Foods has collaborated with domestic and international partners in improving the well-being of all workers and stakeholders, through the elevation of human rights practices in the food industry and society at large in line with the Company’s sustainability goals.

“Human Rights Awards 2022 reflects our exemplary practices in integrating human rights principles into our operations throughout the supply chain. This follows our 3-Benefits for sustainability principle. It also reflects our success in advocating “food security” for all even in times of crisis as well as in supporting our partners for mutual and sustainable growth,” said Ms. Pimonrat.

CP Foods has integrated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its human resource strategy. On the equality aspect in particular, CP Foods puts in place the policy and guidelines that promote positive work environment, respect for others’ differences, non-discriminatory practices, employee engagement and zero tolerance to all types of violations and threats. For instance, all employee groups are encouraged to voice their opinions, recommendations or grievances, by taking part in the election of the Welfare Committee of the Workplace. Its employees included individuals with vulnerability in terms of sexual orientation, race, religion or disability. All business units are encouraged to provide lactation rooms, establish LGBTQ+ Club, etc. These human rights practices have been extended to cover business partners and farmers in the Company’s supply chain. 

In addition, CP Foods' collaboration with the Labour Protection Network Foundation (LPN) has entered the fifth year to promote human rights within the organization so that all individual workers realize and access their rights in an equitable manner. The Labour Voices Hotline by LPN has been in place so that employees have a neutral party to confide in. This will support further improvement in the quality of life for the stability in community and society at large. 

Ms. Pimonrat added that as the world faced the COVID-19 outbreak, the Company announced the no lay-off policy and ensured all employees, local or foreign, stay safe and have access to vaccines. CP Foods leveraged its business expertise in supporting food security and caring for stakeholders. Several programs were launched including "CPF's food from the heart against COVID-19" that delivered food to health professionals and the general public including the vulnerable, people with disabilities and migrant workers. CP Foods teamed up with Charoen Pokphand Group in launching “Krua Pan Im” project, that concurrently helped small food vendors and ensured the vulnerable groups have access to affordable meals. The “Faster Payment” program was launched to boost the liquidity of more than 6,500 SME partners so that the businesses could stay afloat and their employees could keep their jobs amid the crisis. In 2022, it launched “CPF x BBL Liquidity Scheme for Suppliers” that assisted more than 10,000 SME suppliers in tapping low-interest working capital, to help reduce their operating cost and ensure mutual and sustainable growth.