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We are one of the signatory companies of the UN Global Compact (UNGC). The UNGC is the world’s largest initiative to help companies align their practices for a sustainable and inclusive future. As a participant in the UNGC, we disclose our progress on the implementation of the Ten Principles and the activities we are carrying out.
Commitment from Chief Executive Officer, AYA Bank
AYA Bank embarks on the 12th year journey of placing our clientele first, and 10th year of its unwavering commitment to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) principles. Since we had committed Ten principles of the UNGC in the areas of human rights, labor relations, environmental protection and the fight against corruption, we began taking steps to incorporate these principles in our strategy and process towards sustainable journey.
Through this movement, AYA Bank has been working consistently to raise the governance standards internally and build credibility and our brand value. AYA Bank has been awarded ‘Myanmar’s Best Bank for CSR’ in 2017 and 2019 for its remarkable contribution to society as well as its own employees. AYA Bank is strongly committed to continue to develop a wide range of corporate social responsibility programs covering a broad spectrum of social, economic, and environmental issues often associated with rapidly changing society in which we operate.
In the period of 12 years, AYA Bank Ltd. (AYA Bank) has become the 2nd largest private bank in Myanmar in terms of Customer Deposits, Loans & Advances, Capital, number of Branches and Customers. For 7 consecutive years now, AYA Bank is an IFRS compliant bank as well as audited under International Standards of Auditing (ISA) by a big-four international firm – Deloitte. In working towards our goal to be a leading bank in the country, we adhere to and embed the UNGC Principles into our practices, policies, and operations.
In this 9th Communication on Progress Report, we highlight a summary of our progress in adhering to the Ten Principles. Additionally, we commit to share this information with our stakeholders using our primary channels of communication.
The Ten Principles of UNGC and Compliance by AYA Bank (August 2022)
Human Rights
- AYA Bank developed the Code of Ethical Conduct and Employee Handbook to provide guidelines to all employees and standard framework for communication with all stakeholders.
- AYA Bank will continue to promote and advocate human rights norms and respect fundamental human rights for all our stakeholders: employees, customers, suppliers, partners, and government regulators.
- As the bank expands its retail network, we will expand our advocacy effort across the nation.
- The Whistleblowing policy is established to allow raising concerns about any wrongdoing or malpractice of employees.
- AYA Bank will not assist in committing any forms of human rights violations and will not be tolerant in any act of violation and abuses. AYA bank has its own Human Right Policy and Code of Ethical Conduct which are adopted from Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Ten Principles of UNGC.
- Continuous awareness trainings are conducted. Various channels such as suggestion boxes, dialogue session, through intranet are placed for both staffs and stakeholders to raise their concerns and feedbacks.
Labour
- As of 31st July 2022, more than 6000 employees drive our business and AYA Bank fully takes pride in being an “Employer of Choice” in the country.
- Our human capital investment is the driving force that made it possible for us to grow up to (265) branches in 12 years and counting.
- AYA Bank establishes policy related to labor rights that needs vendors’ commitment along with service or product contract.
- AYA Bank’s Grievance channel has been set up for human rights grievances and all staffs are encouraged to report any suspected breach of human right act through an established channel.
- We believe in creating a conducive and rewarding work environment for our employees.
- AYA Bank places utmost importance on being transparent in our procedures and processes when catering to our employees as well as customers.
- AYA Bank is also continuously reviewing policies and guidelines to ensure updated and transparent. Employee Handbook has been revised with up-to-date rules and regulations, staff benefits, etc., and ensure all our staffs are fully aware of their rights and obligations.
- Child Labor Principle is in place as part of AYA Bank’s responsible business conduct.
- Our Human Rights Procedures also ensure vendors/third party suppliers follow the terms and conditions of “No Child Labor Standard”.
- AYA Bank organized awareness session to all staffs for gender equality. AYA Bank has received EDGE Certificate for gender equity.
- Women at AYA Bank remain empowered and given equal opportunity. Women’s representation on board of directors is 33 percent. For the entire bank, the labour force participation rate is men 45 percent and woman 55 percent.
Environment
- Environmental sustainability is a key part of the Bank’s social responsibility efforts. We have established environmental policies and practices that help guide our activities inside out.
- Environmentally-oriented thinking is incorporated into a range of banking operations, lending, products and services and our community activities.
- Through our ‘Environmental Policy’, stated on AYA Bank website, we strive to ensure ecological balance and protect the environment by adopting environmentally friendly technologies and actively conducted environmental conservation activities.
- AYA Bank introduced ‘SME Green Financing’ to finance the Sustainable Manufacturing Projects to support transition to clean energy and environmental benefits. We help clients uncover possible grants that they may qualify for if they install environmentally-friendly equipment such as solar panels, lighting (LED), heat exchangers, by-product gas and waste.
- All AYA Bank suppliers and vendors must sign a mandatory SCP (Supplier Code of Conduct Policy) agreement prior to entering any form of business relationship. Within this SCP, the Supplier Code of Conduct serves as a controlling mechanism to prevent and reduce negative environmental impact.
- We do our part to go green by highlighting our paperless services and products through technological advances. It includes encouraging customers to switch to mobile or internet banking to manage their accounts and make transactions electronically, including bill payment and e-statements. This reduces the need for using paper and cut down emissions of making a trip to the bank.
- AYA Bank promotes environmentally friendly practices and reduce our carbon footprints from our banking activities. To green bank, AYA Bank sets goals and practices on
- Lower energy use, reduce waste, paperless billing,
- offering online and digital services
- Green-centric products
- Guidelines on reduction of negative impact for the environment are being incorporated into our training programs, and staff orientations. Similarly, such trainings and orientation are delivered to our suppliers and vendors at no cost.
Anti-Corruption
- AYA Bank’s Anti-Corruption Policy states that the Reputation of AYA Bank is our greatest asset. Under Myanmar Anti-Corruption Law 2013, AYA Bank is strictly against all kind of corruptions and committed to ensure that AYA Bank’s business activities are free from corruption.
- AYA Bank has implemented numbers of policies and disciplinary actions such as anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy to be abide by employees and suppliers and ensure effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts along the supply chain.
- The policy also applied to our third parties we engage in business with. We ensure that third-party we are engaging with is a legitimate entity, is properly qualified to provide the services we have retained it to perform and has ethical and legal standards aligned.
- AYA Bank raised the awareness of staff towards anti-corruption through training and previous instance. Practice “Start from the Top” when aligning employees to Bank’s ethical standards and providing corruption prevention training.
- Keep an eye on all financial transactions and verify any irregular activities and expenses that didn’t comply with Bank’s policies.
- Set clear whistleblowing procedures and in place that allow employees from every rank to report their concerns and come forward with corruption claims.