Human rights assessments carried out across the Group (*)
(*) The 2021 action plan is based on data at 31 December 2020.
The Group has long been committed to the fight against forced labour. Because forced labour is such a serious risk, VINCI is particularly aware that special scrutiny must be paid to the conditions in which migrant workers are recruited and employed, whether directly or indirectly via labour suppliers or subcontractor companies. Many problems may arise early in the recruitment phase, even before workers arrive at the project site or are hired by the Group.
The underlying factors driving forced labour can vary from region to region. VINCI considers that this issue must be handled close to where the problem occurs in order to take effective actions that are adapted to the on-the-ground realities. The risk of forced labour can come from certain legislative frameworks that do not align with international conventions or arise from unfair local practices, which are sometimes deeply embedded. The risk intensifies when an activity depends on a high volume of low-skilled workers or where labour migration flows are significant.
Some workers migrate to another country to seek higher wages, and the construction sector offers attractive job opportunities. Although VINCI promotes local sourcing of labour, the Group’s companies may recruit migrant workers to meet their business’s needs in certain regions, mainly due to local labour shortages. Once workers migrate for work, they become dependent on their employer not only for their employment but also with regard to their living conditions and accommodation. They are more vulnerable than other workers and face a greater risk of exploitation. This risk is amplified if they do not speak the language of the host country, are unfamiliar with cultural norms or have a limited understanding of their rights.
In addition to using its experience in Qatar to reinforce policies and internal practices across the Group, VINCI collaborates with many stakeholders to help improve practices in the ecosystem.
VINCI is present in Qatar via Qatari Diar VINCI Construction (QDVC). Since 2007, QDVC has taken concrete measures to improve migrant workers’ living and working conditions and to prevent the risk of forced labour at every stage in the migration cycle.
To eliminate debt bondage and contract substitution, which are major contributing factors to the vulnerability of migrant workers in Qatar, QDVC has set up robust processes to monitor recruitment agencies in countries of origin (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, etc.), with specific rules governing the costs covered by QDVC. A full 100% of the contracts signed prohibit agencies from charging recruitment fees and include a reference to the Employer Pays Principle (https://www.ihrb.org/employerpays/the-employer-pays-principle) supported by VINCI, along with strict clauses to ensure its application, and the obligation to monitor downstream compliance.
QDVC employees have visited agencies in home countries on several occasions to verify compliance with rules, spread the information among applicants that recruitment is free, examine the actual working conditions offered and participate directly in recruitment interviews.
QDVC carries out human rights audits of subcontractors, during which it inspects sites, verifies records and documents and interviews workers. In 2021, QDVC conducted 29 audits of its 22 subcontractors and temporary employment agencies, of which nine focused on working conditions (covering 87% of temporary workers and subcontractor employees on site) and 20 looked at living conditions (100% of subcontractors’ accommodation having been audited at least once). The average CSR score for subcontractors rose to 81% in 2021, an improvement of eight points over 2020. For the early prevention of any risks to workers’ rights related to subcontracting, audits are also carried out during the pre-qualification and selection phases, in addition to during contract execution. Accordingly, QDVC conducted 160 pre-qualification audits in 2021.
87% of temporary workers and subcontractor employees on site are covered by an audit of working conditions
