In response to unacceptable working conditions in Bangladesh
Status for Telenor's work on health, safety, security and environment (HSSE)
(19 December 2008) In May 2008, Telenor launched an extensive project to assess the health, safety, security and environmental conditions (HSSE) in our companies and suppliers. Several hundred inspections have been conducted and powerful measures have been implemented. The HSSE work will continue in 2009 and Telenor has simultaneously initiated a large meeting on corporate responsibility with major Norwegian international corporations.
Background
A Danish TV documentary broadcast in May 2008, revealed unacceptable working conditions, pollution and underage labour at the facilities of suppliers to Grameenphone in Bangladesh. Telenor has a 62 per cent stake in Grameenphone. Telenor has drawn up unambiguous guide lines to ensure our corporate responsibility and that operation is run in accordance with our ethical standards.
Read more about the unacceptable working conditions in Bangladesh
Actions taken
Immediately after having been informed about the unacceptable working conditions in Bangladesh, an investigation was initiated by Grameenphone and Telenor, and actions where taken and measures intiated.
Updates
13 October 2008
Telenor Board visited tower vendor in Bangladesh
During its October tour of Telenor’s Asian markets, representatives of the Telenor Board and Top Management visited the tower manufacturing company Concrete and Steel Technologies, which is located in the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
(5 September 2008) Telenor has recently been made aware of unacceptable working conditions at a subcontractor to a supplier to Grameenphone in Bangladesh. Telenor wishes to make some further clarifications on this matter.
(25 June 2008) In the HSE implementation policy of Grameenphone (GP), prevention of injury at work is the most important target. To ensure this, the HSE Department in GP has organized different awareness and training programs for its employees as well as support staffs, channel partners, suppliers, contractors and vendors.
Press releases
05 September 2008 Telenor seeks continued cooperation
04 September 2008 Regarding new case of child labour in Bangladesh
25 June 2008 HSE-status in Bangladesh
22 May 2008 Telenor initiates new measures to improve working conditions at suppliers of antenna towers in Bangladesh
20 May 2008 Update on the situation in Bangladesh
Related information
Media Enquiries
“It saddens us to know that better control systems and inspection routines for following up the activities of the company's suppliers could have prevented lives from being lost. We are now giving the work of dealing with these issues the highest priority.”
Read President and CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas' written comment to Norway's business daily