Human Rights
The United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights establish States' obligation of protecting Human Rights, the responsibility of companies to observe Human Rights, and the need for there to be mechanisms for listening and redressing victims of such violations.
In this sense, Eletrobras has made commitments and promoted actions to develop the topic of Human Rights in its relationships with its various stakeholders, with emphasis on its employees, suppliers, partners and communities.
To guide our actions, we seek to adopt the tools defined by the Guiding Principles:
Political Commitment
In 2018, Thematic Human Rights Guidelines were included in the Social Responsibility Policy of Eletrobras Companies, and, in November of the same year, we signed the Human Rights Open Letter, proposed by the then Ministry of Human Rights.
Our Social Responsibility Policy states that, in the process of engagement and relationships with interested parties, we must pay particular attention to vulnerable groups directly or indirectly affected by our activities, with emphasis on traditional communities, Indigenous people, children and adolescents, the Black population and women.
Furthermore, internalizing the recommendations of ILO Convention 169 is a commitment entered by Eletrobras with Indigenous peoples, with the purpose of respecting their social, economic, cultural and political institutions.
Our Code of Conduct undertakes to respecting people and human rights, promoting its principles, establishing practices and not condoning any violation in its sphere of activity.
Human Rights Due diligence
In 2019, Eletrobras initiated assessment processes to identify the status of its
suppliers and its
Special Purpose Entities (SPEs) on the subject of Human Rights. The assessment serves as the start of the
due diligence process in adopting
measures to control risks and prevent adverse impacts and violations, contributing to the subsequent
monitoring and mitigation of inappropriate practices, as well as
accountability and
communication about how the negative consequences will be faced.
In July 2023, we pioneered a Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) at the Paulo Afonso Hydroelectric Complex, which gathers our oldest operating plants. The initiative is conducted independently by two external consulting firms, and involves listening to different segments, including professionals, service providers and local leaders. This is the first independent HRIA in the Brazilian electricity sector, a milestone that reinforces our leadership role in the business and Human Rights agenda. Our plan is to replicate this study for more of the company's operations from 2024 onwards, including SPEs.
Listening and monitoring mechanisms
In 2018, based on its communication channels with society (Ombudsman and
Contact Us), Eletrobras defined the types of occurrences that should be considered
Human Rights violations.
Eletrobras has an independently managed Whistleblowing Channel and a Contact Us form – initiatives that seek to improve the management of relationship channels with stakeholders, providing more transparency to the process. The channels respond to requests for information and inquiries about the company's various areas of activity, including human rights.
Eletrobras carries out
actions, programs and projects through which
Human Rights practices are developed with its
stakeholders.
In 2022, the company carried out the reputation survey and obtained 2,326 respondents. This number corresponded to 23% of employees, all of whom had the opportunity to speak anonymously about their perception regarding Eletrobras, specifically on Human Rights issues.
Also in 2022, 60% of employees, which amounts to 7,630 individuals, were trained in human rights as part of our corporate training program on the Sustainability Track.
Courses on human rights topics are available on the virtual training platform to all employees.
Browse items:
Human Rights Due Diligence
Currently, the indicators “Critical Supplier Human Rights Due Diligence" and “Human Rights Due Diligence of Joint Ventures/Specific Purpose Entities (SPEs)" are the indicators that are monitored by the company's risk management area.
It is worth mentioning that Eletrobras used its Human Rights due diligence questionnaire with 100% of the SPEs. After the questionnaire was answered and these responses were analyzed, individualized engagement began with each SPE, which contributed to supporting the work of responding to any controversies raised by different sources and identifying the parties involved. Eletrobras is working with 8 SPEs from a total of 35
clusters* [1]
In relation to the Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) of tier 1 suppliers, carried out from 2021 to 2023, out of the 427 notified suppliers, 374 responded to the questionnaire, with 112 of which presenting Human Rights risks. The criterion taken into consideration was the lack of an express commitment in relation to Human and Labor Rights based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Dialogue with Suppliers and the Connected Suppliers page, which shares information with this public, including on the subject of Human Rights, were considered mitigation actions.
The current ESG due diligence process, as well as the evaluation and monitoring of supplier performance, are under review to expand their scope and effectiveness.
TOOLKIT | Due diligence in Human Rights for the Electric Energy industry
[1] Cluster: accounting in clusters groups those SPEs that have subsidiaries, resulting in the accounting of only 1 SPE for each group. Eletrobras has 69 SPEs grouped into 35 clusters.
Figure 1 – Why should we carry out Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD)?
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It lowers costs
It reduces costs connected to conflicts, usually unexpected.
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It is fundamental to achieve Sustainable Development Goals
Companies are expected to be creative and innovative to solve the challenge of sustainable development.
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| It anticipates new regulations
Requiring HRDD from companies is an increasingly common normative trend.
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Respect towards
human rights…
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It helps mitigate global risks that affect companies, such as climate change
Practical improvements connected to the mitigation of climate change have increasingly been lawfully required from companies.
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| It improves the company's reputation
Not being involved in conflicts strengthens the relationship between the company and local communities, favors customer loyalty and increases trust from investors.
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Increases staff productivity
and improves company profitability
Happier workers tend to be more productive.
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Source: https://go.pactoglobal.org.br/l/979353/2023-12-13/541qf/979353/1702466816iUyGeVzY/toolkit.pdf
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Leadership Training
Since November 2022, Eletrobras has been carrying out the Awareness Program for Executives, Directors and Appointees of Eletrobras Companies for Boards of Directors and Boards of Subsidiaries, SPEs and Other Interests of the Company. The first topic was “Human Rights and Business: challenges and opportunities for the energy industry in light of ESG criteria", presented by Dr. Juliana Ramalho, partner at the Mattos Filho Law Firm. In 2023, three lectures were held to guide senior management on relevant topics in the Human Rights Agenda, allowing the Company to expand the scope of its commitments and practices, as well as better monitor sensitive issues that may impact companies. The topics covered were: “New Perspectives on Socio-Environmental Conflicts"; “Companies and Indigenous Peoples in contemporary Brazil: rights, scenarios and challenges" and “Biases and decision-making by Leadership".
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Participation in Task Forces (GT)
1. Human Rights Task Force for the Electricity and Energy Sector of the UN Global Compact in Brazil
With the goal of advancing the human rights agenda in the country, we began to lead the Human Rights Task Force (GT) for the Electrical and Energy Sector of the UN Global Compact in Brazil, with the participation of over 30 companies in the industry.
Periodic meetings are held to develop integrated actions on human rights issues.
2. Accessibility and Inclusion Task Force
In 2023, the Accessibility and Inclusion Task Force was created to ensure full work for PWD jobs and employees, including the workforce of suppliers and third parties." The responsibilities of the task force include carrying out awareness and training actions; identifying access problems faced by people with disabilities (PWD) and their full professional and social inclusion; analyzing accident prevention and health promotion policies; monitoring new project studies; proposing the revision of regulations.
The Task Force was created on the International Day of Disabled Persons, celebrated on December 3rd, with a chat on the topic.
3. Supplier Task Force
Eletrobras' Supply Logistics Policy establishes that our contracts must respect human rights, ensure health and safety at work, worker well-being, gender and racial equality and respect towards diversity, in addition to encouraging local development. In addition, we have the Guide of Conduct for Suppliers of Eletrobras Companies, revised in 2022, which recommends against the use of child labor, degrading labor, slave labor, forced labor or involuntary labor of prisoners in its production chain, against the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in its processes or in the production chain, and the assurance of decent conditions for workers, including subcontracted companies. The policy also prohibits discrimination based on color and race, marital status, physical and cognitive conditions, age, religion, sexual orientation, social class and others.
In this context, the Social Responsibility area participates in the Suppliers Task Force so that the perspective of human rights is included in strategic decisions for this specific segment.
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Gender, Race and Diversity
The search for gender and racial equality and diversity, seeking equal opportunities for all people – regardless of sex, color, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, social origin, physical or mental capacity – is one of our commitments in terms of respect towards Human Rights and non-discrimination.
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Eletrobras Volunteer Program
The Program encourages the exercise of citizenship by company employees with the engagement of stakeholders in Eletrobras' relationship network.
The year 2023 marked the restructuring of the Volunteer Program, including the holding of a workshop to better adapt to reality and integrate all existing programs in the companies into a single program for the Group, with institutional strategic guidelines. An initiative that deserves to be highlighted is Mentoria com Energia (Mentoring with Energy), a virtual action carried out in partnership with the Programa Jovem Aprendiz (Young Apprentice Program) and with the external partner Instituto FESA C.R.O.M.A. (Creating and Recognizing Opportunities to Change Tomorrow, in a free translation). The action contributes to the personal and professional growth of mentors and mentees, providing the exchange of regional cultures given the participation of employees from different regions of the country in territories where Eletrobras Companies are located. In 2023, the action won the “Conexões que Inspiram" award offered by Comitê Mineiro de Voluntariado.
In 2024, new actions are under development, including a new mentoring class aimed at social projects that serve underprivileged youth.
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Social Projects
Investment in projects to train and improve the quality of life of underprivileged populations.
In 2023, Eletrobras invested around BRL 14 million in voluntary projects and actions of a social nature focusing on the development of traditional communities and Indigenous people. Eletrobras has relationships with 24 ethnic groups in 45 Indigenous lands throughout Brazil. In addition, over BRL 1 million were donated to emergency and institutional actions to carry out projects (BRL 939,700) as well as unusable goods (BRL 180,000).
Eletrobras exerts some form of impact and has relations with 24 ethnicities in 45 Indigenous lands throughout Brazil
In April 2024, the largest Indigenous mobilization in Brazil took place in Brasília: the Acampamento Terra Livre (ATL), an instrument of paramount importance to demonstrate to Brazilian society that Indigenous peoples are organized and have an agenda to fight for their rights and defend the their lands from profiteering, as well as seeking support for the Indigenous issue and communicating with the main public authorities to demand compliance with the laws and respect towards the demarcations of their lands. The company financially supported the participation of two associations representing the Guajajara people and the Instituto Kabu, representing the Kayapó-Oeste Ethnicity. The funds were used to feed and transport the representatives.
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Na Mão Certa Program
The United Nations International Labor Organization (ILO) recognizes the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents as one of the worst forms of child labor and as a violation of Human Rights. Sharing this vision, companies must make commitments and put into practice actions to prevent and assess the impacts caused to victims of sexual exploitation, as well as those caused by agents in their supply chain and relationship network.
In order to ratify their commitment to the topic, in 2010, Eletrobras companies signed the Declaration of Corporate Commitment to Fight Sexual Violence against Children and Adolescents. Thus, the companies have included the topic in their scope of work, and carry out effective actions to combat child labor.
Seeking to expand Human Rights themes, and with a new perspective of action, in 2020, Eletrobras companies joined the Na Mão Certa Program, an initiative by Childhood Brazil that promotes joint efforts to end the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in multiple links in the production chain. It is worth noting that Eletrobras Furnas has been a member of the Program since 2009. The proposal of the Program is aligned with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights of the United Nations - UN (GPs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both commitments assumed by Eletrobras companies.
Thus, from 2020 onwards, all Eletrobras companies have joined forces to fight child labor through a partnership recognized for the work it carries out. The Program provides educational materials and support for ongoing actions at Eletrobras companies, enabling widespread action in order to expand the scale of proposed actions through its capillarity across the national territory.
In 2023, actions were carried out in support of the agenda, with emphasis on action in local networks in the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro and Recife. In addition, conversation circles are held with internal audiences and the promotion of the Faça Bonito National Campaign, which mobilizes society as a whole to strengthen the protection network. In 2024, the 1st Workshop on Good Practices for Combating Sexual Violence against Children and Adolescents was held with the participation of representatives from municipal rights councils and social institutions that promote the guarantee of the rights of this public.
Protect children and adolescents from sexual exploitation.
The Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents (SECA) occurs when boys and girls are forced to be part of sexual acts in exchange for money, food, gifts or favors. This deeply affects their psychological, physical, social and emotional development.
Source: Na Mão Certa Program. Childhood Brazil
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS!
75% OF VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION ARE GIRLS AND WOMEN.
WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR CONFRONTING THIS SEVERE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION: IF YOU HAVE ANY SUSPICIONS, REPORT THEM BY CALLING THE “DISQUE 100" HOTLINE OR USE THE DIREITOS HUMANOS BR APP!
SEPTEMBER 23 – INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN
DIAL HUMAN RIGHTS 100
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Refugees and Migrants
The subsidiary Eletrobras Furnas, in carrying out its commitment to provide sustainable development in its areas of operation, is also attentive to the Refugee and Migrant population. Between the year 2023 and the first months of 2024, 06 initiatives were carried out involving 102 refugees, the majority of whom were of Venezuelan origin, followed by others of African origin. The actions were supported by the Assistance Program for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (Pares) of the Cáritas RJ organization and Centro de Atendimento ao Refugiado.
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ACTIVITY
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REFUGEES
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Entrepreneurship Track in partnership with SICOOB Rio, seeking to bring new possibilities of professional and financial development to refugees and migrants.
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30
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Introductory Training at the Instituto Genesis / PUC Rio with the goal of training migrants and refugees on business management skills, covering topics such as entrepreneurship, finance, marketing and social networks.
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41
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Support to the annual Rio Refugia Fair in partnership with PARES/ Cáritas RJ, in celebration of World Refugee Day, covering a variety of activities such as a gastronomic fair, cultural workshops, events for children, musical performances, fashion and crafts from different countries.
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15
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Caregiver Course that offered training in the care of children, adolescents, the elderly and disabled persons.
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04
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Brazilian Social Protection Lecture, providing information about the Brazilian Social Security system.
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04
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Chat with UNHCR where a moment of listening was provided for the refugees, who had a few minutes to report their entrepreneurial idea, even if it is still in its initial phase.
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08
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Total
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102
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The initiatives attempted to meet expectations identified through interactions with refugees. Business actions to support refugees demonstrate an organization's values with positive impact on society, in addition to promoting the development of intercultural skills and raising the perspective of cultural diversity in its workforce.
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Vulnerable groups
The Social Responsibility Policy of Eletrobras Companies highlights that, in the process of building engagement and qualified relationships with their stakeholders, companies must pay particular attention to vulnerable groups, these groups being directly or indirectly affected by the company's activities, making sure to answer comments through clear flows and pre-established deadlines, with emphasis on:
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