East Africa Seaweed Company Limited Formal, Publicly Accessible Complaint Mechanism. Our Process is aligned with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, ILO core labor standards, and OECD Due Diligence Guidelines—ensuring accessibility, transparency, fairness, and accountability for all our stakeholders, including workers, community members, and business partners.

East Africa Seaweed Formal Complaint Mechanism

Purpose

This complaint mechanism enables employees, suppliers, community members, and other stakeholders to confidentially raise concerns or grievances related to East Africa Seaweed’s operations, including issues on human rights, labor conditions, environmental impact, land use, and ethical business conduct.

 Core Principles

This mechanism is:

• Accessible to all individuals and groups affected by East Africa Seaweed’s operations
• Confidential and protects complainants from retaliation
• Transparent in process and resolution
• Predictable with clear steps and timelines
• Fair and impartial, using culturally appropriate methods

Scope of Complaints

This mechanism can be used to report:

• Human rights abuses (e.g., discrimination, harassment, forced labor)
• Unsafe or unfair working conditions
• Environmental damage or resource misuse
• Land access or community relations grievances
• Violations of labor, wage, and working hour standards
• Misconduct by security personnel or management
• Misuse of community resources or marine zones

How to Submit a Complaint

1. In Person

• At local East Africa Seaweed offices or seaweed processing sites, through:
  • Complaint boxes (sealed and monitored weekly)
  • Designated complaint focal person (usually a trained HR or community liaison officer)

2. Online

• Via email: grievances@eastafricaseaweed.co.tz
• Through the official complaint form on our website: www.eastafricaseaweed.co.tz/complaints

3. By Phone

• Hotline : 0764780880 (available Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)

4. Through Third Parties

• Complaints may also be submitted by unions, community organizations, NGOs, or legal representatives.

Complaint Handling Procedure

 Confidentiality and Non-Retaliation

• Complainants may remain anonymous
• All submissions are treated with strict confidentiality
• Zero tolerance for retaliation against any individual submitting or supporting a grievance
• Disciplinary action will be taken against any employee or manager found retaliating

 Monitoring and Learning

• Quarterly grievance review reports prepared for internal leadership
• Annual public report summarizing types of complaints and outcomes (without revealing identities)
• Stakeholder feedback collected to improve process and increase trust
• Trends used to adjust company policies and training programs

Responsibility and Oversight

• Grievance Officer (appointed at HQ and regional offices) responsible for:
  • Managing complaints
  • Ensuring resolution and documentation
  • Reporting to senior management
• Oversight provided by the Human Rights and Ethics Committee

 Community Engagement and Awareness

• Mechanism promoted via:
  • Posters in community languages at company sites
  • Local radio announcements
  • Meetings with community leaders, workers, and cooperatives
• Training sessions for staff and field teams on how to receive and handle grievances

Contact Us Anytime

If you have a concern about East Africa Seaweed’s operations, no matter how small, we encourage you to speak up.

📧 Email: grievances@eastafricaseaweed.co.tz
🌐 Web: www.eastafricaseaweed.co.tz/complaints
📞 Toll-Free Hotline: 0764780880
📍 Visit: Any East Africa Seaweed site or local office