Social

Respecting Basic Human Rights

Human Rights Policy

Human rights are the fundamental and universal rights held by all persons, irrespective of race, sex, nationality, ethnic group, language, religion, or other status. Based on a management principle of the SBI Sumishin Net Bank Group (the “Group”) stating that “we aim to become a company trusted by society at large with all directors, officers, and employees of the Group ("the employees") cultivating their moral character every day by acting on the basis of trust and integrity with a sense of ethical values,” we respect human rights of all the stakeholders, such as the employees, customers, and business partners (including any and all third parties in a business relationship with the Group, such as joint ventures, outsourcees, and suppliers), in the overall business activities. As the Group offers face-to-face or non-face-to-face services, we recognize the importance of respecting the human rights of all the stakeholders involved in and affected by our business.

Scope of application

This human rights policy applies to the employees and to all the stakeholders engaged in the business activities of the Group.

Respect for international code of human rights

The Group respects human rights in support of international code of human rights, including the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” the “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” the “International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,” and the “ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.” The Group is determined to strive to conduct business in accordance with the “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights” of the United Nations. Further, the Group complies with the laws and regulations applicable in the country or region in which its business activities are performed. In the event of any difference or discrepancy between such laws and regulations and any international code, the Group will seek a way to respect the international code.

Ethical development and use of technology and data

The Group makes effort for human rights to be promoted by the use of technology and data. In addition, the Group makes efforts for technology and data to be developed and used ethically in a way that respects human rights and leads to the advancement of people and society.

Prohibition of discrimination

The Group provides equal opportunities to all people. On the occasion of employment and positional promotion, the Group does not discriminate its candidates and employees for any reason, such as race, nationality, sex, marriage history, presence or absence of a child, religion, political ideas, age, presence or absence of disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and pays fair wages for the same work.

Prohibition of inhuman treatment

The Group guarantees that all the stakeholders are treated with dignity. The Group prohibits harassment and abuse in the form of physical, verbal, or other conduct of a sexual nature as well as harassment and abuse in the form of physical, verbal, or other conduct utilizing organizational title, position, or class of employee. The Group also prohibits harassment relating to pregnancy, childbirth, child care leave, nursing care leave, and other related matters.

Fair wages

The Group complies with all the wage-related laws and regulations as well as work standards that are applicable in the country or region in which its business activities are carried out. Further, the Group strives to secure fair wage standards that satisfy basic needs of the employees.

Freedom of association

The Group respects the right for employees to freely form an association or not to form it, in accordance with the laws and regulations in which its business activities are carried out.

Work hours

The Group complies with all the work hours-related laws and regulations as well as work standards that are applicable in the country or region in which its business activities are carried out. Further, the Group strives to reduce long hours of work.

Safety and health

The Group secures health and safety of all the stakeholders. In order to secure healthy and safe work environment and prevent employment injuries, the Group makes an action plan to maintain and improve the health and safety of employees and investigates causes of accidents and illness at workplace to prevent their recurrence.

Prohibition of child labor

The Group does not use child labor in the business activities, nor does it approve child labor at a third party with which the Group has a business relationship.

Prohibition of forced labor

The Group does not use forced labor by any means such as confinement, restraint, slave labor, forced overtime work, and human trafficking. Further, the Group does not approve forced labor at a third party with which the Group has a business relationship.

Privacy, access to information, and freedom of expression

The Group respects and protects the stakeholders’ privacy, freedom of expression, and right to access to any information and ideas.

Stakeholder engagement

In the efforts based on the human rights policy, the Group strives to enhance and improve the efforts for respecting human rights through the dialogue and consultation the Group has with relevant stakeholders.

Operation of grievance mechanism

In order to identify and resolve human rights problems appropriately, an internal reporting desk has been introduced. Any officer or employee working for the Group who finds an act of violating or being likely to violate any of the relevant laws and regulations, corporate ethics, and our internal regulations and rules including this human rights policy may report such finding anonymously to the contact office, where disadvantageous treatment of the consulter or informant of the finding is prohibited. The Group investigates and responds to the consulted cases and, concerning the reported and identified human rights abuse, if it becomes evident that someone has caused negative influences on the other’s human rights, or if someone’s involvement through business relationship or similar connections is found clear, the Group works to correct and remedy the situation.