Human Rights : Structure

In MC’s management framework, human rights initiatives are overseen by the Corporate Functional Officer (CSEO) and Member of the Board/Corporate Functional Officer (Human Resources, Global Planning & Coordination, IT). The Sustainability Department and Global Human Resources Department plan and draft any related policies and measures. Following deliberations by the Sustainability Committee and Human Resources Development Committee, items are put forward or reported to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.

MC has established various consultation systems, including an internal human rights consultation desk and the whistleblowing system, so that any human rights concerns can be raised. These systems ensure that human rights-related concerns can be raised any time by mail, telephone or in person. These systems can be used anonymously and in confidence, ensuring the safety of the informant (no subsequent dismissal or other disadvantageous treatment), and that matters are handled and investigated by persons who have no conflict of interest in the matter. Solutions are offered with the utmost consideration of the informant’s wishes. Employees are informed about the systems during human rights awareness training at the start of employment, and information related to the systems is posted at all times on MC internal bulletin boards. MC also covers human rights issues in its annual compliance e-learning program to which all executives and employees (including full-time and part-time employees, secondees and temporary staff) are required to take. In addition, as part of a Groupwide compliance program, MC provides human rights training with information on the existence of the systems to employees who are transferred or seconded to affiliated companies.

In FY2023, MC received a total of 60 reports under the whistleblowing system, of which 39 were related to human rights, including harassment, labor management, etc. Compliance Officers shall conduct necessary investigations, giving due consideration to not infringing on the human rights and reputation of the persons involved. The results of the investigations are reported to the Chief Compliance Officer and used to plan and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

MC implements human rights and environmental due diligence on its operations as part of its commitment to identifying, preventing and mitigating any human rights violations or negative environmental impacts caused by the MC Group’s business activities, as well as to fulfill its responsibilities. As part of this due diligence, the Group has established and manages a consultation desk, which serves as a point of contact for external stakeholders to consult on cases where the MC Group\'s business activities are causing, or could potentially cause, a negative impact on human rights and/or the environment.

MC has established the Sustainability Advisory Committee which consists of three external experts. MC regularly seeks the diverse perspectives of this committee regarding MC’s human rights initiatives and other sustainability-related matters. In addition to regular committee meetings, committee members also visit business sites on an annual basis in order to deepen their understanding of MC’s sustainability efforts and provide advice from their own professional viewpoints.