Transparency Act
In order to safeguard basic human rights and decent working conditions, the 99x Group has committed to continuous due diligence assessments with regular reviews of the documentation and findings. With companies in Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Brazil, we recognize the importance of conducting thorough due diligence assessments to ensure compliance with the Transparency Act and promote responsible supply chains. We are committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure that our businesses and our subcontractors operate in accordance with relevant standards for labor rights, human rights and environmental considerations.
We recognize that due diligence assessments are an ongoing process, and we are committed to improving our practices on an ongoing basis, based on new knowledge, experience and best practice. Our aim is to ensure a responsible and sustainable supply chain and to contribute to promoting worker rights, human rights and environmental protection in all countries in which we operate or have collaboration partners.
Outcomes from the 2022 assessment:
Based on this, the 99x Group has chosen to base itself on due diligence assessments, guidelines and principles based on the company's activity in Sri Lanka, which also constitutes the absolute largest part of the organization with over 90% of the employees. The purpose is to lay the same guidelines and principles as the basis for all companies and business areas in the 99x Group.
In the work on the report for 2022, no negative consequences or items for escalation have been identified. However, we do see the need to improve and institutionalize our vendor selection processes to ensure compliance across our entire supply chains.
If you have any questions on our 2022 assessment, please reach out to transparency@99x.io
Organization and operation:
The 99x Group is headquartered in Oslo, Norway. The group's companies in Norway, 99x Technology AS, Seeds AS and Incrementi AS, provide engineering services with software development, mainly with assistance from the subsidiary 99x Technology in Colombo, Sri Lanka and our partner LeanOn in Vittoria, Brazil. The commercial part is mainly run from the Norwegian businesses. Development of solutions and customer service mainly in Sri Lanka and Brazil.
99x Technology in Colombo is a company with more than 400 people and the company's management works closely with the group management on all aspects of the business. There are agreements that regulate the relationships between the various companies and there is extensive communication on a daily basis between all the companies. Visits are made from Norway to both Sri Lanka and Brazil several times a year.
Compliance and certifications:
The internal processes at 99x are compliant with the following standards.
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Agile for software project delivery and management
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ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management
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ISO 27001:2022 for Information Security Management
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ISO 27701:2019 for Privacy Information Management
Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Policy:
Our work environment health and safety policy is documented within "F-PL03 Health and Safety Policy" internally. The key points covered in the policy are as below.
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Management's commitment to providing a healthy and safe workplace for both employees and other personnel who are affected by the business activities of 99x.
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Roles and responsibilities with relation to maintaining a healthy and safe workplace.
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Commitment to provide training and other resources to the successful implementation of the policy.
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Conducting risk assessments related to occupational health and safety and implementing mitigation actions.
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Reporting and following up related incidents.
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Commitment to conduct internal and external assessments.
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Commitment to comply with the related regulations.
Business Conduct:
We have a policy on business conduct under the name "P-PL01 Code of Ethics & Conduct Policy". Our Guiding Principles align with this purpose where, "We delight clients, value each other and become our best!"
We delight our clients:
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Strive to deliver excellence
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Innovate and solve problems
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Push boundaries courageously
We value each other:
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Elevate one another
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Celebrate diversity
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Nurture trust in an open culture
We grow to become our best:
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Embrace the freedom to lead
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Contribute through our passions
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Learn and improve continuously
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Become model global citizens
We always behave in a manner consistent with the company's guiding principles. We support and encourage others to comply with the guiding principles.
Bribery and Corruption:
Our corporate conduct policy "P-PL01 Code of Ethics & Conduct Policy" covers the requirements of our commitment against bribery and corruption as given below.
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We are dedicated to ethical and fair competition.
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We will make independent pricing and marketing decisions and will not improperly cooperate or coordinate our activities with our competitors.
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We will not offer or solicit improper payments or gratuities in connection with the purchase of goods or services for 99x or the sales of its products or services.
Our corporate conduct policy "P-PL01 Code of Ethics & Conduct Policy" covers the requirements of our commitment against conflict of interests as given below.
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We must avoid any relationship or activity that might impair, or even appear to impair, our ability to make objective and fair decisions when performing our jobs.
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We must never use 99x property or information for personal gain or personally take for ourselves any opportunity that is discovered through our position with 99x.
Before engaging in any activity, transaction or relationship that might give rise to a conflict of interest, employees must seek review from the 99x management.
Human rights and working conditions:
Our corporate Human Rights Policy "P-PL02 Human Rights Policy" covers our commitment to protect human rights as per the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. It covers the following. We strive to respect and promote human rights in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Our human rights policy considers the following key areas in it.
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Health and safety - The health and safety of our employees is of paramount importance. Our policy is to provide a safe and healthy workplace and comply with applicable safety and health laws and regulations.
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Diversity and inclusion - We are committed to equal opportunity and are intolerant of discrimination.
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Employment conditions - We abide by the applicable laws and regulations on employment work hours, leave requirements and holidays. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified personnel based on disabilities and pregnancy/childbirth.
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Employment benefits - We compensate employees competitively relative to the industry.
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Child labor - We do not tolerate the use of child labor, forced labor or human trafficking of any kind.
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Freedom of association - We respect our employees' right to join, form or not to join a labor union without fear of intimidation or harassment.
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Right to Privacy - We respect the privacy of our employees and business partners who trust us with their personal information.
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Risk management - We conduct human rights impact assessments at regular intervals, prior to new activity or relationship, prior to major decisions or changes in the operations followed by risk mitigation.
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Grievance handling - We respect the employee's right to express their grievances without compromising their position.
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Community - We conduct timely and sustainable CSR activities that will make a significant and measurable impact on our communities.
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Environment - We conduct our operations in an environmentally responsible manner, with the intention of reducing our environmental footprint and protecting our global environment.
Diversity and inclusion:
Our anti-discrimination policy "P-PL10 Respectful Workplaces Policy" covers the requirements of our commitment against discrimination at the workplace as given below. Discrimination is any negative action or attitude directed toward someone because of protected characteristics, like race and gender. Other protected characteristics might include:
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Age
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Religion
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Ethnicity / nationality
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Disability / medical history
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Marriage / civil partnership
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Pregnancy / maternity/ paternity
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Gender identity / sexual orientation
The company will not tolerate any kind of discrimination that creates a hostile and unpleasant environment for employees or any other stakeholders who do business with 99x. We recognize that sometimes discrimination is unintentional, as we may all have unconscious biases that could be difficult to identify and overcome. In case we conclude that an employee unconsciously discriminates, we will support them through training and counseling and implement processes that mitigate bias.
Who should I contact for more information?
Please reach out for any other questions or clarifications at transparency@99x.io