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10<br />

Human Rights<br />

In 2001, <strong>Hydro</strong> received more than 1000 postcards <strong>and</strong> e-mails urg<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Hydro</strong> to address the human rights<br />

situation <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a when deal<strong>in</strong>g with Ch<strong>in</strong>ese Authorities.<br />

Why?<br />

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights<br />

compr<strong>is</strong>es our common ethical fundament.<br />

It represents the prerequ<strong>is</strong>ites for sound social<br />

development <strong>and</strong> a well-function<strong>in</strong>g bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />

climate. It <strong>is</strong> important to recognize the <strong>in</strong>terconnection<br />

between good bus<strong>in</strong>ess performance<br />

<strong>and</strong> human rights.<br />

Key bus<strong>in</strong>ess challenges<br />

Human Rights <strong>is</strong> a comprehensive <strong>is</strong>sue,<br />

<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g civil, political, economical, social<br />

<strong>and</strong> cultural rights. However, with<strong>in</strong> th<strong>is</strong> range,<br />

there are some specific <strong>is</strong>sues that are relevant<br />

to bus<strong>in</strong>ess. Further details on our policy <strong>in</strong><br />

these areas are provided <strong>in</strong> <strong>Hydro</strong>’s People<br />

Policy.<br />

Freedom of expression <strong>and</strong> association<br />

All employees have the right to express their<br />

views <strong>and</strong> concerns <strong>in</strong> good faith, for example<br />

with respect to their work<strong>in</strong>g conditions, without<br />

fear of repr<strong>is</strong>al. They also have the right to jo<strong>in</strong><br />

a union <strong>and</strong> participate <strong>in</strong> organized activities.<br />

These fundamental pr<strong>in</strong>ciples apply to all <strong>Hydro</strong><br />

activities worldwide.<br />

Labour st<strong>and</strong>ards<br />

<strong>Hydro</strong> <strong>is</strong> committed to respect the International<br />

Labour Organization’s eight core conventions.<br />

Key <strong>is</strong>sues are freedom of association, the right<br />

to collective barga<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, <strong>and</strong> the prohibition of<br />

forced labour. The conventions also address<br />

some basic requirements for wages, work<strong>in</strong>g<br />

hours, social benefits <strong>and</strong> the work<strong>in</strong>g environment.<br />

These must be considered <strong>in</strong> the context<br />

of legal requirements <strong>and</strong> best practices <strong>in</strong> the<br />

country <strong>in</strong> question.

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