18 July, 2022

To our stakeholders:

I am pleased to confirm that Hanna Khoury and Brothers Co. SARL reaffirms its support of the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-Corruption.

In this annual Communication on Progress, we describe our actions to continually improve the integration of the Global Compact and its principles into our business strategy, culture and daily operations. We also commit to share this information with our stakeholders using our primary channels of communication.

Sincerely yours,

Hanna Khoury
Managing Partner

HKBros guide lines to develop a well-balanced work time arrangement (WTA) on site, involves giving opportunities for both women and men to obtain decent and productive work in an environment and conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity.
HKBros is adopting international and Lebanese government standards, and laws on work time limits, daily and weekly rest period, pays annual leaves, the protection and safety of our workers especially during night shifts, and the fair and equal treatment for our part time workers.
In addition to our Codes of Conduct, HKBros will adopt the Tender/World Bank Code of Conduct, as stipulated in Annex 2 pages 126 up to 133, in Appendix B1
Our standard working rate varies between: 40-48 hours / week,
Our principles for developing balanced WTAs, are based on the Lebanese labor laws, the international standards, and our private data on work time collected from the projects we executed for different parties (CDR, MoPW, MoEW, UN Organizations, NGOs, etc. …), in addition to the ILO regulations, standards, and findings.
HKBros main focus in implementing the work plan or schedule for any project is based on the following five dimensions:
1- Promoting Health, and Safety (attached our H&S manual)
2- Advancing the productivity , and Sustainability of our company
3- Promoting Family Compatibility
4- Promoting Gender Equality (i.e.: Office Staff: Men=17, Women: 13); and
5- Offering our workers a degree of choice and influence on their hours of work (taking into consideration the previous four dimensions)
Those five principles of decent work time provide a basis for our staff in developing our work plan (schedule) that can balance our workers needs with the company requirements.
HKBros management considers implementing the above dimensions as a “win – win” situation for both the company, staff, and workers, it increase the workers’ productivity, decrease in negative short and long health problems, decrease rates of absenteeism, decrease safety risks, the workers are more motivated, with positive attitude and high moral. As suggested by the ILO Reduction of Hours of Work Recommendation, 1962, (No. 116).
In particular projects and activities, overtime, part time, shift time (especially night time), might be a must. For that HKBros consider them as exceptions not as a routine, for a short cycle of time, considering the resting night time for the workers, as well as offering the workers choices on their leaves as well as fairness in treatment. For night shifts HKBros provides adequate place for the workers to rest along with fair rotate shifts.
Our projects WTAs are regularly updated and tuned as per the advance conditions of the works. The frequency of the major updates depends on the project duration and complexity, as for the fine tuning it will be made more often and not related to any fix time.
HKBros has established clear goals towards meeting the UN supplier Code of Conduct, through establishing and maintaining appropriate management system related to this code, and the H.R department always review and monitor the operations to ensure they align with the principles set forth in the UN code of conduct.
The management will conduct site evaluations and inspections, due to our long history of relation and confidence, for our suppliers in order to make sure they commit at least to a minimum with the code of conduct.
The health and safety of our staff members, and workers are a priority. HKBros adopt its own health and safety manual. The process start by presenting workers to our H&S manual, and second by providing them all the protective equipment, clothes, and means to stay healthy and safe. The company and especially with the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak will take special measures accessible to our workers to protect them, and ensuring a safe working environment, by limiting exposure to coronavirus by personal protective measures, and keeping them off work in case of any kind of illness. We will approach our workers with solidarity and compassion, ensuring the continuous of income and benefits.
Site operation procedures compliance checklist is prepared regarding the COVID-19, in addition to the monitoring on site, and the awareness campaign and follow up.
The company will raise awareness by sharing information, with our staff and workers, from the World Health Organization (WHO) on precautions, and other preventive means, using telecommunication, social media, and if needed by our H&S officers.
The company will also use telecommunication means and virtual meetings and discussions to reduce negative impacts.
HKBros recognize the freely – exercise right of our workers, without distinction, or discrimination. It is even prohibited by any means to force our workers what so to execute any work or activity. Workers are treated with respect and dignity, without any threats of violence, sexual exploitation or abuse. The company is aware of the human rights principles derived from the Universal Declaration of Human rights (UDHR), and are set out in the U.N Globule Compact (UNGC), so no harsh or inhumane treatment.
Our worker wages are set as per the Lebanese laws and degrees, and/or as per the condition of contract set by the owner, and they are paid by the local currency, and on a daily, weekly, or monthly, and sometimes by job, depending on the nature of each project and/or activity.
HKBros adopt a policy of financial support for our staff and workers including:
- No interest loans
- Advance on salaries
- In case of medical financial support
- Providing safe transportation means
HKBros is committed not to employ any worker under the age of 18, and that is well monitored by our H.R department, by filling a detailed form along with a legal identification card or document, for each staff member, or worker.
HKBros complies with the existing legislation and regulations regarding the protection of the environment. HKBros implement a sustainable approach in projects execution, and even in our offices, and plants. Extreme care is taken to avoid the use of chemicals and hazardous materials that can damage the environment. When such material is needed, it will be clearly identified and managed to ensure their safe handling, transport, movement, storage, recycling or reuse, and disposal, monitor and control. The waste, hazardous materials, and emissions, generated or used by the construction activities will be managed and monitored as indicated in the company “Sustainable Guidelines Handbook” (SGH).
HKBros adheres to the highest principles of ethical conduct, related to corruption, or any situation that may appear as a conflict of interest, the company is well aware of the “Zero tolerance” regarding the relation with any of the U.N institutions member.
Our codes of conduct aim at preventing and/or mitigate the risks of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Child Abuse and Exploitation (CAE), and Child Protection (CP).
Preventing the issues of GBV, CAE, and CP by mutual respect and fair treatment of all parties involved, including an understanding on the impact of the parties’ presence on the local communities living in the targeted project areas.
Zero tolerance will be applied on all staff members, labors, subcontractors, related to the violations of the codes of conduct, rules, and regulations.
Training: all mangers, staff members will attend a training course prior to the commencement of the work on site, to ensure they are familiar with their roles and responsibilities regarding, GBV, CAE, and CP.
An action plan will be prepared and approved by the Engineer, regarding the GBV, CAE, & CP. The action plan will include:
- Standard Reporting Procedure
- Accountability Measures; and
- Response Protocol
All managers and staff members failing to comply with codes of conduct, will subject to disciplinary measures varying from Informal or formal Warning, to suspension of employment, and up to termination of employment.

Included in the Previous Statement

The primary adverse environmental impacts that are associated during the different phases of the construction of infrastructure can be minimized by careful planning, staging of construction activities, as well as the adoption of a proper design management practices.
Mitigation measures are recommended to eliminate or reduce the negative impact of the implementation activities. It includes several potential impact-mitigation or control measures to get a more environmentally and socially acceptable projects.
These measures are derived based on the environmental impact assessment during the construction of projects of similar scopes and complexities.
The measures are categorized based on potential impact and include:
• Mitigation potential traffic impacts
• Mitigation potential air quality impacts
• Mitigation potential noise impacts
• Mitigation waste generation
• Mitigation water quality/supply impacts
• Mitigation health and safety impacts
• Mitigation landscape and visual intrusion impacts
• Mitigation socio-economic impacts

Mitigation Potential Traffic Impacts (M-PTI):
- Proper planning and development of a traffic control plan, with the coordination of the municipal police or local gendarmerie.
- The motorists will be well guided through the construction corridors in a clear and safe manner
- Adequate warning signs, delineators, and channeling for at least 100 m on secondary roads, and 500 m on primary roads
- Preliminary routing schemes covering the various construction phases will be developed and communicated early to public through the local authorities and municipalities.
- Limiting the movement of heavy equipment during the construction phase, during off peak hours (UNDP written approval is needed), and providing prior notification to minimize the negative impacts of traffic.

Mitigation Potential Air Quality Impacts (M-AQI):
- Proper site and stock enclosure
- On site mixing and unloading operations
- Maintain minimal traffic speeds on site
- Adequate maintenance and repair of machinery
- Proper water spraying when necessary
- Sealing of completed earth works
- Permanently surfacing medium and heavily used hauling routes
- Damping un-surfaced hauling routes as well as ensuring proper house-keeping at construction sites

Mitigation Potential Noise Impacts (M-NI):
Much of the work is executed in open areas and on main roads, that’s why measures will be enforced during the construction phases in order to minimize noise levels, such as:
- Choice of inherently quiet equipment
- Proper site logistics and planning
- Proper maintenance of equipment
- Limiting site working hours, when possible
- Machines with intermittent use will be shut down between works periods
- Inform the local community through the municipality about the schedule of noisy activities
- Scheduling noisy activities during morning hours
- Keep equipment speed as low as possible
- Enforcing noise monitoring
 

Mitigation Waste Generation (M-WG):
- Even during projects of this magnitude, and scope of works, there may be tendency to dispose the generated construction wastes on the sides of the roads, in public or private properties, since most of the villages, and lack the presence of disposal facilities, or if present are not adequate.
- Best practice and the least damaging are for HKbros site Project Manager to coordinate with the local municipalities to designate an area in the village or the district for the disposal of construction wastes.
- HKbros site staff will give special consideration whenever feasible for waste material recycling and re-use.
- It should be noted that, all existing landfills belong in principle to the government and they are often operated by independent contractor through the municipality, union of municipalities, MoE, MoSAR, or CDR.
- Specific routes will be used to control and manage the movement of large amounts of waste through the village streets to the final disposal sites.
- The routes will be selected in a way to minimize potential traffic congestion and avoid peak hours.
- HKbros site foremen and supervisor will make sure to limit the weight of the trucks or pickups to control potential dust emissions.

Mitigation Water Quality/Supply Impacts (M-WQ/S-I):

- HKbros site staff will ensure proper surface drainage during the construction phase
- The site staff will minimize the use of on-site water and chemicals usage (oil, lubricants, and fuel), especially during maintenance and repair periods.
- As well as limiting the exposure of the soil to accidental releases of pollutants.
- All utilized chemicals will be non-toxic, and readily biodegradable.
- These wastes when mixed with other construction wastes will be disposed off in a landfill as such they will be handled similar to what is described in M-WG.
 

Mitigation Health and Safety Impacts (M-HS-I):

Health and Safety at the construction site will be considered primarily in terms of potential exposure to PM and noise, and more importantly potential accidents occurrence to workers on site, and to pedestrians or animals.
Major health guide lines, such as:
- Provision of dust masks ( loading, unloading, and transfer operations)
- Provision of ear plug ( Compressor, compactors, tilting mixers, transit mixers, vibrators, tractors, excavators, generators)
- Goggles, gloves (loading, unloading, mixing, vibrating)
- High Reflective Vests (traffic areas)
- First aid kits on site
- Warning Safety Signs
- Awareness Signs
- Safety Traffic signs

Mitigation Landscape and Visual Intrusion Impacts (M-L/VI-I):

- Preserve existing vegetation when feasible.
- Minimize the width of any trench excavation, in order not to disturb or affect any trees.
- The foremen will make sure that tree branches will be pruned rather than removed.
- Avoid dumping construction waste over landscaped areas, or sides of the roads.

Mitigation Socio-Economic Impacts (M-SE-I):

While the proposed project will bring positive socio- economic impacts on the local community and the displaced Syrians in the district, the project is not without negative impacts during the implementation phase.
Locals living in the area or having their shops, and workshops may be affected by the construction activities, great care should be taken:
- Through planning, to ensure that the living standards of the locals are protected
- Finishing the sections of the work, that mostly affects the benefits of the local population.
- Encourage the local community to participate in the implementation of the project.
- Creating conditions for enhancing incomes of the locals through getting most of the tools, materials, and daily use of the project from the local community.

Our company abides by to ILO Core Conventions or other international instruments
All Measures can be found in the statement included in the Human Rights Tab

All Measures can be found in the statement included in the Human Rights Tab

All Measures can be found in the statement included in the Human Rights Tab

The primary adverse environmental impacts that are associated during the different phases of the construction of infrastructure can be minimized by careful planning, staging of construction activities, as well as the adoption of a proper design management practices.
Mitigation measures are recommended to eliminate or reduce the negative impact of the implementation activities. It includes several potential impact-mitigation or control measures to get a more environmentally and socially acceptable projects.
These measures are derived based on the environmental impact assessment during the construction of projects of similar scopes and complexities.
The measures are categorized based on potential impact and include:
• Mitigation potential traffic impacts
• Mitigation potential air quality impacts
• Mitigation potential noise impacts
• Mitigation waste generation
• Mitigation water quality/supply impacts
• Mitigation health and safety impacts
• Mitigation landscape and visual intrusion impacts
• Mitigation socio-economic impacts

Mitigation Potential Traffic Impacts (M-PTI):
- Proper planning and development of a traffic control plan, with the coordination of the municipal police or local gendarmerie.
- The motorists will be well guided through the construction corridors in a clear and safe manner
- Adequate warning signs, delineators, and channeling for at least 100 m on secondary roads, and 500 m on primary roads
- Preliminary routing schemes covering the various construction phases will be developed and communicated early to public through the local authorities and municipalities.
- Limiting the movement of heavy equipment during the construction phase, during off peak hours (UNDP written approval is needed), and providing prior notification to minimize the negative impacts of traffic.

Mitigation Potential Air Quality Impacts (M-AQI):
- Proper site and stock enclosure
- On site mixing and unloading operations
- Maintain minimal traffic speeds on site
- Adequate maintenance and repair of machinery
- Proper water spraying when necessary
- Sealing of completed earth works
- Permanently surfacing medium and heavily used hauling routes
- Damping un-surfaced hauling routes as well as ensuring proper house-keeping at construction sites

Mitigation Potential Noise Impacts (M-NI):
Much of the work is executed in open areas and on main roads, that’s why measures will be enforced during the construction phases in order to minimize noise levels, such as:
- Choice of inherently quiet equipment
- Proper site logistics and planning
- Proper maintenance of equipment
- Limiting site working hours, when possible
- Machines with intermittent use will be shut down between works periods
- Inform the local community through the municipality about the schedule of noisy activities
- Scheduling noisy activities during morning hours
- Keep equipment speed as low as possible
- Enforcing noise monitoring
 

Mitigation Waste Generation (M-WG):
- Even during projects of this magnitude, and scope of works, there may be tendency to dispose the generated construction wastes on the sides of the roads, in public or private properties, since most of the villages, and lack the presence of disposal facilities, or if present are not adequate.
- Best practice and the least damaging are for HKbros site Project Manager to coordinate with the local municipalities to designate an area in the village or the district for the disposal of construction wastes.
- HKbros site staff will give special consideration whenever feasible for waste material recycling and re-use.
- It should be noted that, all existing landfills belong in principle to the government and they are often operated by independent contractor through the municipality, union of municipalities, MoE, MoSAR, or CDR.
- Specific routes will be used to control and manage the movement of large amounts of waste through the village streets to the final disposal sites.
- The routes will be selected in a way to minimize potential traffic congestion and avoid peak hours.
- HKbros site foremen and supervisor will make sure to limit the weight of the trucks or pickups to control potential dust emissions.

Mitigation Water Quality/Supply Impacts (M-WQ/S-I):

- HKbros site staff will ensure proper surface drainage during the construction phase
- The site staff will minimize the use of on-site water and chemicals usage (oil, lubricants, and fuel), especially during maintenance and repair periods.
- As well as limiting the exposure of the soil to accidental releases of pollutants.
- All utilized chemicals will be non-toxic, and readily biodegradable.
- These wastes when mixed with other construction wastes will be disposed off in a landfill as such they will be handled similar to what is described in M-WG.
 

Mitigation Health and Safety Impacts (M-HS-I):

Health and Safety at the construction site will be considered primarily in terms of potential exposure to PM and noise, and more importantly potential accidents occurrence to workers on site, and to pedestrians or animals.
Major health guide lines, such as:
- Provision of dust masks ( loading, unloading, and transfer operations)
- Provision of ear plug ( Compressor, compactors, tilting mixers, transit mixers, vibrators, tractors, excavators, generators)
- Goggles, gloves (loading, unloading, mixing, vibrating)
- High Reflective Vests (traffic areas)
- First aid kits on site
- Warning Safety Signs
- Awareness Signs
- Safety Traffic signs

Mitigation Landscape and Visual Intrusion Impacts (M-L/VI-I):

- Preserve existing vegetation when feasible.
- Minimize the width of any trench excavation, in order not to disturb or affect any trees.
- The foremen will make sure that tree branches will be pruned rather than removed.
- Avoid dumping construction waste over landscaped areas, or sides of the roads.

Mitigation Socio-Economic Impacts (M-SE-I):

While the proposed project will bring positive socio- economic impacts on the local community and the displaced Syrians in the district, the project is not without negative impacts during the implementation phase.
Locals living in the area or having their shops, and workshops may be affected by the construction activities, great care should be taken:
- Through planning, to ensure that the living standards of the locals are protected
- Finishing the sections of the work, that mostly affects the benefits of the local population.
- Encourage the local community to participate in the implementation of the project.
- Creating conditions for enhancing incomes of the locals through getting most of the tools, materials, and daily use of the project from the local community.

Described in First Topic

Described in first topic

pursuance of this policy, the Company:
(a) defines, for the purposes of this provision, the terms set forth below as follows:
(i) “corrupt practice” is the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting, directly or indirectly, of anything of value to influence improperly the actions of another party
(ii) “fraudulent practice” is any act or omission, including a misrepresentation, that knowingly or recklessly misleads, or attempts to mislead, a party to obtain a financial or other benefit or to avoid an obligation;
(iii) “collusive practice” is an arrangement between two or more parties designed to achieve an improper purpose, including to influence improperly the actions of another party;
(iv) “coercive practice” is impairing or harming, or threatening to impair or harm, directly or indirectly, any party or the property of the party to influence improperly the actions of a party;
(v) "obstructive practice" is:
(aa) deliberately destroying, falsifying, altering, or concealing of evidence material to the investigation or making false statements to investigators, or
(bb) acts intended to materially impede the exercise of the inspection and audit rights

Mentioned Here above

Mentioned here above