Human Rights Statement (draft)
Our Commitment to Human Rights
ProjectBalm is committed to upholding human rights and treating every individual with dignity, respect, and equality. We believe that every business decision should reflect our values and do no harm. In line with this belief, we acknowledge that respecting human rights means avoiding any infringement on the rights of others and addressing any negative impacts we may be involved in. We also understand that companies must not only comply with national laws, but must proactively manage risks to prevent human rights harms.
Our approach is guided by internationally recognized frameworks and best practices. We are committed to respecting all human rights as defined by the International Bill of Rights (which includes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and the International Labour Organization’s fundamental conventions. We align our actions with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), which provide a global standard for preventing and addressing business-related human rights issues.
As an Australian business, we also take guidance from the Australian Human Rights Commission on embedding human rights into day-to-day business practices. ProjectBalm will comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and where our human rights commitments exceed legal requirements, we will uphold the higher standard. Transparency and accountability are core to our ethos, and we hold ourselves accountable to these commitments in both spirit and practice.
Upholding Human Rights in Our Business
We strive to reflect our human rights commitment in every aspect of our operations and relationships. In practical terms, this means:
Respect and Inclusion: We foster an inclusive work environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying. Everyone we work with is treated with respect, dignity, and fairness, and we celebrate diversity and equal opportunity in our workplace.
Fair and Safe Work: We provide fair terms of employment and maintain a safe, healthy working environment. We uphold fair wages, reasonable working hours, and respect the right of workers to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
No Exploitation: We have zero tolerance for forced labor, child labor, human trafficking, or any form of modern slavery in our business or supply chain. We will never knowingly engage with or support any operation that involves such abuses.
Responsible Partnerships: We only do business with partners and suppliers who share our commitment to human rights, and we expect them to uphold the same high standards for labor rights, safety, and ethics. We conduct ongoing human rights due diligence – proportionate to our size – to identify and address any potential human rights risks in our operations or value chain.
Accountability and Improvement: We are dedicated to continuously improving our human rights performance. This includes regularly reviewing our practices and remaining transparent about our progress. If we ever discover that we have caused or contributed to a human rights harm, we will take swift action to remedy the situation and prevent it from happening again. We encourage anyone to raise concerns or grievances, and we commit to addressing such issues promptly and fairly, without retaliation.
Labour Rights: ProjectBalm supports the fundamental rights of workers as outlined in the International Labour Organization’s core conventions. We reject all forms of discrimination in employment, support equal pay for equal work, and affirm the right to collective representation. We respect work-life balance and strive to create conditions that support the wellbeing, safety, and long-term development of those we work with.
Anti-Corruption: We are committed to conducting our business with integrity and transparency. ProjectBalm prohibits all forms of bribery, extortion, facilitation payments, and improper influence in any business dealings. We keep accurate records, avoid conflicts of interest, and reject any practices—such as nepotism or excessive gifting—that could undermine fairness or trust. We expect the same ethical standards from all our partners and suppliers.
By living up to these principles, ProjectBalm aims to do our part in promoting and protecting human rights. We understand that this is a continual journey, and we are fully committed to carrying out our business in a way that respects the inherent dignity and rights of all people. This Human Rights Statement represents our values in action and our promise to conduct business responsibly, ethically, and in the best interests of our shared humanity.