Worker Welfare Principles

Building Responsibly developed these Principles to serve as the global standard on worker welfare for the engineering and
construction industry. They address key areas of worker vulnerability to raise standards and level the playing field so that
competitiveness is not at the expense of the worker. Given differing local and national requirements and external guidelines,
these Principles establish a common, global baseline for the treatment of workers in the engineering and construction
industry. By collectively committing to and promoting these Principles, we can foster a business environment that advances
the safety, security, and welfare of all people—especially those working in the construction sector.

Building Responsibly members are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all their business dealings with respect
to worker welfare by supporting and adopting the following Principles:

Workers Are Treated with Dignity, Living Conditions Are Safe, Clean,

1 Respect, and Fairness

Workers, irrespective of their nationality, gender,
ethnicity, social and legal status, race, religion, or
6 and Habitable
Workers, when provided with accommodation,
have living conditions that are safe, clean, hygienic,
other protected status, are treated with dignity, and habitable, where consideration is given to their
respect, and fairness, and are not subject to physical and mental health and well-being.
harassment, discrimination, abuse, or inhuman or
degrading treatment. Access to Documentation and Mobility

Workers Are Free from Forced, 7 Is Unrestricted

Workers have access to passports and personal

2 Trafficked, and Child Labor

Workers are not subject to forced, coerced, trafficked,
bonded, child, or involuntary labor of any form.
documentation at all times. Workers shall have
freedom of movement outside normal working hours,
unless there are legitimate safety or security issues
that might threaten the health, safety, or well-being
Recruitment Practices Are Ethical, of the worker.

3 Legal, Voluntary, and Free

from Discrimination Wage and Benefit Agreements
Workers shall be recruited through ethical and legal
means whereby all recruitment shall be free from
discrimination and all forms of involuntary labor,
8 Are Respected
Workers are paid their agreed wages regularly and
on time. Workers will receive all benefits to which
slavery, and trafficking. Companies should commit they are entitled in accordance with contractual
to responsible recruitment in their operations arrangements.
and prohibit the payment of fees by the worker.
Conditions of employment shall be transparent and Worker Representation Is Respected
agreed upon in writing prior to commencing work in
a language that is understood by the worker. 9 Workers have the right to freedom of association. In
countries where the right to freedom of association
is restricted under law, companies should recognize
Freedom to Change Employment the right of workers to develop alternative means

4 Is Respected
Workers are free to refuse their contract; cancel and
change their employment; and, where appropriate,
for independent and free association and to
communicate and promote their rights and welfare.

return home travel at the end of their employment Grievance Mechanisms and Access
contract should be provided.

Working Conditions Are Safe

10 to Remedy Are Readily Available
Workers have, and are aware of, the means to
report grievances or any activity that is inconsistent

5 and Healthy
Workers have a safe and healthy work environment,
subject to a robust health and safety management
with these Principles without fear of retaliation,
retribution, or dismissal, and to have them
addressed in a prompt, fair, and consistent manner.
system that is compliant with all governing health
and safety laws and regulations and is aligned with
applicable international standards and industry best-
practice. This includes access to safe and clean
transportation and welfare amenities on project
sites; and the promotion of transparent and external
reporting regarding health and safety incidents.
CORE ELEMENTS OF IMPLEMENTATION

Company implementation of the Principles should apply a risk-based approach and include the following
core elements:

Commitment Reporting
Senior leadership demonstrates a commitment to promoting worker Transparent and accessible mechanisms are available to report
welfare by providing appropriate policies and procedures, clarifying incidents and raise concerns in good faith, without fear of retaliation.
roles and responsibilities, and allocating sufficient resources.
Engagement
Oversight Building Responsibly members should endeavor to “lead by example”
Oversight of key contractors and suppliers is undertaken through and encourage others in the engineering and construction sector to join
appropriate mechanisms, including policies and procedures, our efforts to promote the rights and welfare of workers. Members will
contractual controls, due diligence, training, monitoring, and also engage with all affected stakeholders to improve implementation
continuous improvement of all elements. of the Principles.

Training
Appropriate awareness building, communication, and training is
provided to leadership, employees, and workers.

About Building Responsibly A BSR Collaboration

Building Responsibly is a group of leading engineering and BSR provides executive leadership and secretariat support for
construction companies working together to raise the bar in Building Responsibly. Building Responsibly’s activities are overseen
promoting the rights and welfare of workers across the industry. by the Steering Committee, with the active participation of the
We have come together to foster and ensure a better working Building Responsibly membership. BSR is a global nonprofit
environment for workers in the engineering and construction business network and consultancy dedicated to sustainability. BSR
sector. Doing so will allow us to more effectively respond to client, collaborations bring together more than 400 companies, spanning
stakeholder, and regulatory expectations, and manage a healthier, multiple sectors and geographies, to strengthen company
more productive workforce. performance, improve markets and industries, and contribute to
systemic change for a more just and sustainable world.

For more information and resources to support implementation of these Principles, visit www.building-responsibly.org June 2018