Community Engagement
Why is this important?
Access to reliable and affordable energy can improve quality of life, create economic wealth and lift people out of poverty. However, extracting oil and gas can stress communities and interfere with their resources. The support of communities in the host country is crucial for operating a resilient business, therefore good relations with host countries and local communities are prerequisites to Tethys Oil’s business.
Tethys Oil’s approach
Tethys Oil’s activities shall strive to create shared prosperity between stakeholders. It seeks to respect and gain the respect of the people and governments of the countries in which it operates. Wherever operations are conducted, the state’s sovereignty is respected, and the rule of law is to be observed and promoted.
The Group is committed to positively impacting its host communities by engaging in a dialogue with the Group’s stakeholders, whether these are local communities or relevant interest groups, such as local governments and civil society. Tethys Oil engages in an active relationship with stakeholders to understand the concerns surrounding the Group’s operations and to set mutually beneficial goals. This is to ensure local stakeholders needs and priorities are considered and avoid that the Group’s operations disrupt the livelihood of the local population and negatively affect their quality of life.
Local people and their traditions are respected. Tethys Oil strives to encourage local employment and, where appropriate, work with local communities to improve their health, skills and welfare. Tethys Oil endeavours, where applicable, to engage in capacity building through the transfer of skills and technologies. Tethys Oil shall refrain from any implications in tribal, internal, or other armed conflicts or acts of violence.
Tethys Oil’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities are focused and conducted In-Country Value. In Oman, they are headed by the Director of Corporate Affairs and followed up continuously.
In addition to non-profit partnerships, Tethys Oil has dedicated local team members focused on listening and responding to community concerns in the operating areas.
Diversification, Culture of Inclusion and Human Rights
Why is this important?
No matter where they were born or who they are, every human is entitled to the same rights and freedoms as anyone else. Based on the Company’s Scandinavian roots, it is a core value to act ethically and respectfully towards all individuals related to the Company. A successful business is dependent upon its employees as individuals. A fair, respectful, and safe working environment based on equal opportunities and treatment is vital to support a company’s strategy on all levels.
Tethys Oil’s approach
Tethys Oil’s employees are the primary asset. From this perspective, it comes naturally to aim to achieve high employee satisfaction and high-performance standards. Tethys Oil shall respect and promote its employee’s rights, including freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. Tethys Oil shall offer rewarding working conditions and realize each employee’s individual potential through training and job promotion. Tethys Oil prohibits the use of all forms of child and forced labour, both directly or indirect and should never occur. Tethys Oil has implemented a diversity and non-discrimination policy to ensure that the diversity of its staff is respected and that all forms of discrimination are prevented.
Tethys Oil’s Position on Diversity and Discrimination
- Tethys Oil seeks to recruit and retain the best possible candidates for all positions based on merit regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, race or religion.
- The cultural diversity of the Group’s employees is an asset and shall be respected. Furthermore, Tethys Oil will not accept any form of harassment or discrimination of its employees for any reason.
- Tethys Oil’s staff shall always act with the utmost integrity and respect when dealing with colleagues, partners and society.
- Tethys Oil’s employees, partners and contractors should feel free to voice concerns or report instances of discrimination without fear of recrimination or harassment.
- Tethys Oil’s employees shall always act with the utmost integrity and respect when dealing with colleagues, partners and society.
Tethys Oil’s Position on Human Rights
Tethys Oil has committed firmly to the United Nations Global Compact (stated further in the Code of Conduct) and adheres to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The Group has committed to supporting internationally recognized human rights wherever it operates. Human Rights are to be understood as those referred to in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and in the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Conventions, and relations to business activities, in the Global Compact, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the UN Guiding Principles.
The Group recognizes the importance of respecting the rights of local communities, and thus before any new investment or operational activity, it analyses potential impacts on human rights. While the Group respects all human rights, it focuses primarily on those human rights that potentially may be most impacted by its operations. Typically, those most impacted are the populations and communities in the countries where Tethys Oil is active or within its license areas where it operates.
The Group furthermore expects all its affiliated partners to respect human rights and observe the highest professional integrity standards. The Group is committed to investigating, addressing, responding and to taking appropriate corrective action in response to any violation.
The nature of Tethys Oil’s operations as a highly skilled upstream oil and gas operator in Oman means that the risk for child labour or bonded and forced labour is limited. There are potential risks in the use of subcontractors in some cases but Tethys Oil’s stringent policies and the transparent process for procurement minimises any such risks.
From a wider perspective, Tethys Oil seeks to minimise the risk of Human Rights violations because of its business by strictly implementing its code of conduct in all aspects of its dealings.
Health and Safety
Why is this important?
Tethys Oil’s activities are subject to the health, safety and environmental (HSE) risks inherent in the oil industry. Prevention of accidents and ill health is critical to the efficient operation of its business. Prevention of illness and promoting of healthy lifestyles provide lasting benefits for the workforce, their families, and the public. Loss of control of safety issues at facilities can potentially result in serious harm to people as well as the environment.
Tethys Oil’s approach
The Group has established an HSE policy with accompanying corporate procedures. The ultimate responsibility for HSE lies with the managing director. However, it is the responsibility of all Tethys Oil staff to ensure compliance with the Group’s standards for safe operations.
Tethys Oil has responsibility for all activities that are a consequence of its operations. At a minimum, Tethys Oil must comply with all relevant laws and governmental regulations and directions concerning HSE.
The genuine care for HSE is a core value for the Group and transparent throughout all Tethys Oil’s plans and actions. The Group’s objective is to provide a healthy and safe working environment for employees, contract personnel and members of the general public who might be affected by its activities. The Group is implementing a systematic approach to HSE management to achieve continuous improvement toward no harm to people, no accidents, no spills and to strive for minimum impact on the environment, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
Tethys Oil is committed to ensuring that all operations the Group conducts are done safely with genuine regard for the wellbeing of the staff, contractors and third parties. Tethys Oil strives to create a safe, accident-free environment by fostering a culture of transparent decision-making, responsibility and planning. This applies not only to Tethys Oil’s operations, but the Group representatives should work to ensure that the same standards are applied in all projects and joint ventures where the Group has an interest.