Human Rights Statement for East Africa Seaweed Company Ltd, aligned with UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, and relevant international human rights instruments like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Human Rights Policy Statement | East Africa Seaweed Seaweed Company Ltd

1. Our Commitment to Human Rights

At East Africa Seaweed, we are committed to respecting and promoting internationally recognized human rights as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the ILO Core Labour Standards, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This commitment applies across our entire value chain—from seaweed harvesters and farmers to processors, suppliers, and retail partners—and reflects our mission to uplift women, children, and vulnerable communities while creating sustainable livelihoods in the Blue Economy.

2. Key Human Rights Principles We Uphold

Women’s Rights

• Promote gender equality and equal pay for equal work.
• Ensure a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment free from harassment or discrimination.
• Empower women economically through fair wages, access to resources, and leadership roles.

 Children’s Rights

• Zero tolerance for child labor.
• Promote education and prohibit any work that interferes with a child’s well-being, education, or development.
• Collaborate with schools and NGOs to support community education programs.

Vulnerable Communities

• Prioritize fair employment opportunities and support for rural, disabled, and marginalized populations.
• Ensure free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) for land and sea access affecting indigenous or coastal communities.
• Foster resilience through environmental stewardship and sustainable livelihoods.

 Labour Rights

• Ensure freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
• Provide safe and healthy working conditions.
• Prevent all forms of forced labor and modern slavery.

3. Implementation Strategy

We will integrate our human rights policy throughout our core operations by:

• Conducting Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) before any project or partnership.
• Including human rights clauses in all supplier and partner contracts.
• Appointing a Human Rights Compliance Officer to lead implementation and oversight.
• Developing gender- and age-sensitive grievance mechanisms that are accessible, transparent, and responsive.

4. Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

To ensure accountability and continuous improvement, we will:

 Conduct annual human rights impact assessments (HRIAs)
 Monitor supply chains and community engagements via periodic audits and stakeholder surveys
 Establish a dashboard of key human rights indicators including:

• Gender representation in management
• Wages vs. living wage benchmarks
• School attendance rates in seaweed-producing regions
• Reported cases of grievances or rights violations

Publish an annual Human Rights & Sustainability Report
Engage with local NGOs, women’s groups, and child advocacy organizations for third-party review and feedback

5. Corrective Actions & Policy Review

In the case of identified violations or risks:

Immediate corrective measures will be implemented, such as:

• Suspension of non-compliant suppliers
• Referral of child labor cases to appropriate child protection services
• Remediation support to affected workers or community members

Policy and procedural reviews will be conducted every 12 months, or earlier if significant incidents occur, to ensure alignment with emerging global standards and community expectations.

 Performance Management Linked to Human Rights

To embed our human rights commitments into daily operations, we have created a Performance Management Framework for employees and managers.

Performance Metrics Include:

• Compliance with gender equity targets
• Engagement in annual human rights training
• Number of resolved grievances in area of responsibility
• Contributions to community development projects (e.g., women’s training, school support)

Managerial Responsibilities:

• Ensure all team members complete human rights training annually
• Lead regular reviews of local working conditions
• Support implementation of child safeguarding measures

Incentives and Rewards:

• Recognition awards for human rights champions
• Performance-based bonuses for community impact
• Penalties or retraining for violations or neglect of human rights responsibilities

7. Conclusion

At East Africa Seaweed, we believe respect for human dignity is the foundation of sustainable business. Through our unwavering commitment to human rights, we aim to be a catalyst for empowerment, justice, and prosperity in every seaweed farming community we touch.