Human Rights Policy

Respect for Human Rights

“Protect, Respect, Redress.” In our daily work we actively support the UN’s Declaration of Human Rights, and we regard respect for human rights as a fundamental part of everything we do. For this reason, on 5 February 2013 Enel implemented the approach outlined in the “United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights” by approving a Human Rights Policy, which was updated in 2021. This commitment strengthens and deepens the values of our corporate philosophy, which are based on our Ethical Code, Zero Tolerance for Corruption Plan and Model 231.

The UN’s “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights” emphasize that the rights sanctioned by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights can have great relevance for all companies, and state that they have a clear responsibility to apply these principles. Other companies involved in the supply chain are also involved, as a business can in fact breach human rights indirectly.

The twelve principles of the Enel Policy, which people and companies working with Enel must observe in all their activities, develop along two over-arching themes: work practices and relations with the community and society, with a focus on environmental degradation and climate change. As a result, in all the countries where our Group operates we have developed corporate due diligence processes like the Human Rights Compliance Assessment (HRCA), and we have integrated social, environmental and governance factors into Enel’s risk management, as well as a methodology for evaluating the social impact of industrial projects.

This formal commitment means that Enel explicitly promotes respect for these rights by contractors, suppliers and commercial partners.

Whenever stakeholders encounter a possible violation of the commitment promoted by the Group, they can report it (an action also known as whistleblowing) by using the channel outlined in the Ethical Code.

Identifying the principles of the fundamental rights of workers and a commitment to respect, promote and implement them in all the countries where our Group operates are actions inspired by the content of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This is the UN agency that sets labor standards, develops policies and devises programs promoting decent work for men and women. These principles are also inspired by ILO Conventions on human and social rights, workplace health and safety, freedom of association and trade union rights, and the banning of forced labor and child labor. In this context, in 2012 we developed a Global Framework Agreement with the Global Trade Union Federations in the sector, reflecting fundamental social rights and the work practices outlined in the Policy on Human Rights. Enel is also involved in the initiative promoted and financed by the Italian Council of Ministers with the aim of developing corporate work prevention plans alongside checks on drug and alcohol use already in force in the company, in line with the ILO projects.