Hydro's Code of Conduct is approved by the board of directors. Based on this, the Hydro Integrity Program was launched in 2005 to prevent corruption and human rights violations connected to our activities. The program includes risk mapping, tools and training. We updated the program in 2009 to make it more practicable and accessible to the employees.
The Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim) decided in May 2009 not to open an investigation of the so-called Libya case. Økokrim was presented with the results of an investigation carried out on behalf of Hydro's board of directors in October 2008. The investigation was performed after questions concerning Hydro's former Libyan activities were raised in connection with the merger of Hydro's oil and gas activities with Statoil to form StatoilHydro (now Statoil) in 2007.
Hydro supports the principle of freedom of association and collective bargaining, and has a long tradition in maintaining a good dialog with employee organizations. Our most important role related to human rights is to secure decent working conditions in our own organization, minority-owned companies and with our suppliers. In countries where the right to form trade unions is restricted, we try to find alternative fora to uphold the right of employees to influence their work situation, like in Qatar and China.
Hydro's supplier requirements regarding corporate responsibility were updated in 2009. In general, the requirements shall form an integral part of all stages of the procurement process. The requirements include environment, human rights, anticorruption, and working conditions including work environment. Implementation is risk based and takes into consideration contractual value, country risk, etc. The principles include auditing rights and the contractors' responsibility toward subcontractors and their suppliers.
Our most important voluntary commitments are our support of the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Global Compact. We also support the OECD's Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. We use the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 Guidelines for voluntary reporting of sustainable development. See www.hydro.com/gri
Total payments (taxes, fees etc.) to host governments 1)
| Amounts in NOK million |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
| Australia |
(0.7) |
0.4 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
| Brazil |
160 |
139 |
89 |
127 |
25 |
| Jamaica |
19 |
90 |
81 |
79 |
56 |
1) Total payments to host governments in connection with the exploration and production of bauxite and alumina. Payments include benefit streams, profit tax, royalty, license fees, rental fees, entry fees, etc. The reporting is based on the principles in Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The table is included in the limited level of assurance review of Hydro's viability performance reporting 2009, but not in the financial audit. |
