Preamble
The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to:
Demonstrate the Company's commitment to the highest standards of ethical behaviour; Encourage proper ethical conduct and sanction misconduct within the Company; and, Develop an ethical culture based on such standards and conduct, led by the Company's shareholders, commissioners, directors and management, and followed by all employees.
By adopting, following, and updating this code of ethics on a regular basis, together with the Company's charters, the Company confirms its desire to demonstrably lead and promote good ethical behaviour and corporate governance. In order to foster the confidence of its shareholders, employees, Investors, and the general public, this Code of Ethics goes beyond the legal and regulatory framework prevalent in Indonesia today, and embraces both national and internationally recognized principles and practices.
The Company's governing bodies and employees understand this Code of Ethics as their obligation and set forth to ensure that its spirit and provisions are respected and acted upon throughout the Company and its business partners.
This Code of Ethics is reviewed and updated every two years. It is available on the Company's website.
A. The Company's Values
In all internal and external relationships, the Company demonstrates its commitment to the following Company's values:
• The Company exists to improve the lives and promote the dignity of low-income clients
• Company employees maintain a high degree of professionalism and discipline
• The Company strive for high operational efficiency in order to provide cost-effective services to its clients
• The Company does not discriminate against race, gender, disability, religion or political affiliation
B. The Company's Ethical Principles
The Company is committed to act ethically in all aspects of its business. The Company’s ethical standards are based on the following principles:
• Honesty
• Fairness
• Transparency
Similarly, the Company expects the same in its relationships with all those with whom it does business.
The Company's ethical standards focus on the following areas: employees, customers, relations with its business partners, government, society and the wider community. These ethical standards shall also apply to all business areas for all subsidiaries and dependent companies both within and outside of Indonesia.
All of the Company's ethical standards are based on:
• Respecting the rule of Law, Indonesia’s laws and regulations, and showing respect for human rights;
• Managing the Company's financial and operational performance to provide cost-effective and efficient financial services to its clients, while maintaining the long-term value for its shareholders
• Conducting business with integrity and fairness, renouncing bribery and corruption and similar unacceptable business practices, and not giving or accepting gifts and entertainment unless they fall under business custom, are immaterial and infrequent;
• Creating mutual advantage in all the Company's relationships to build and foster trust; and
• Demonstrating respect for the community the Company operates in, as well as for the natural environment.
The Company's business plan will include specific, measurable targets for improving ethical behaviour.
C.Relationship With Its Stakeholders
I. Employees and Officers
The Company recognizes its employees as the keystone to success. The Company is thus committed to treat all employees with dignity, trust, and respect, and to build a long-term relationship based on Indonesia's labour law and the respect of human rights. The Company will not employ child labour.
The Company fosters teamwork, believing that diversity in talent, perspectives, and opinions stimulate new and creative business opportunities and innovation. Similarly, the Company renounces all forms of bureaucracy and excessive hierarchical structures that impede operational efficiency.
It is the Company's policy to provide for and regularly improve upon a healthy, safe, and secure working environment for its employees.
Conflicts of interests can, or appear to, compromise the judgment or objectivity of the Company's employees and officers. An appropriate Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy has been developed for this purpose.
The Company is an equal opportunity employer. Its recruitment, promotion and compensation policy is based on merit and free of discrimination. Clear and transparent policies to this extent have been developed and put into practice.
Any kind of discrimination or harassment at the workplace will not be tolerated and contrary behaviour properly investigated and dealt with through the Company's ethics officer or the human relations manager.
Employees are recognized and rewarded for their performance, based on performance objectives, and constructive and regular feedback through face-to-face meetings. Rewards are given both at the team and individual level. The Company has in place a training programme, accessible to all employees, which encourages individuals to formulate personal development plans and provides for coaching, mentoring, and formal skill-enhancing training.
Employees are encouraged to become shareholders.
The Company sanctions the illegal use of confidential and insider information by all officers and employees, and has developed a detailed procedure to effectively deal with this matter.
A regular consultation process between the Company's employees and managers has been put in place to effectively deal with employment conditions and other issues that affect the employees work environment. These principles do not limit the right of the Company to enforce discipline or to terminate workers in accordance with Indonesian legislation.
For this purpose the Company has developed a Social and Environmental Management System (SEMS). For this purpose it has nominated a SEMS Officer.
II. Clients
Client protection and satisfaction are tantamount to the Company. Appropriate products and services, fair pricing, upholding and promoting the dignity of low-income clients, and appropriate communications shall define the Company's relationship with its clients. The Company therefore endorses and applies all the Client Protection Principles promoted by the Smart Campaign, Centre for Financial Inclusion. The Company has achieved Certification for applying Client Protection Principles by the Smart Campaign in 2014.
The Company always seeks to deliver what it promises
III. Relations with its Business Partners
The Company believes that a long-term relationship with its business partners (banks and other lenders, investors, suppliers, contractors, and participants in joint venture) founded on respect, trust, honesty, and fairness is vital to its success.
The Company will put forth its best effort to only cooperate with those business partners that share the Company's ethical standards.
The Company will respect the sanctity of contracts and business relations:
• Contractual negotiations shall be conducted on the basis of mutual advantage.
• Business relations shall be based on high performance standards, delivering in a timely and qualitative manner, and prompt settling of bills and invoices.
• In case of a commercial dispute, the Company will strive to negotiate and compromise in good faith in order to reach an amicable solution.
• The Company is committed to complying fully with the Indonesian law on anti-money laundering and only conducts business with reputable suppliers, business customers and other partners who are involved in legitimate business activities and whose funds are derived from legitimate sources.
IV. Government
The Company will pay all taxes that are owed and due, fully and in a timely manner.
The Company abides by all national and local regulations, including voluntary codes and guidelines, in both spirit and letter.
The Company has also legally obtained all licenses required to do business. The Company seeks to build and manage a sound relationship with governmental authorities on an arm's length basis. No attempts to improperly influence governmental decisions shall be made, and the Company will not offer, pay, solicit or accept bribes in any form or shape, either directly or indirectly, in its dealings with the government, administration or courts. Transparent procedures regarding transactions engaged in by the Company with any government agent or official, or in dealings with any Company owned or controlled by a government agency or official, shall be established to this end.
The Company will never make political contributions whether in cash or in kind.
The Company has developed and is implementing an Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financial Terrorism Policy (AML/CFT). For this purpose it has nominated a AML/CFT Officer.
V. Community, Society and Environment
The Company views itself as an integral part of the community in which it operates and is committed to a sound relationship built on respect, trust, honesty and fairness.
The Company is committed to creating jobs and developing local talent when this is economically sustainable.
The preservation of the environment is of the utmost importance to the Company. The Company thus strives to minimize any disruption to the environment arising from its activities by reducing waste, emissions and discharges, and by using energy efficiently. All operations and activities will be carried out according to the highest standards of care and in line with internationally recognized principles.
The Company promises to engage and consider the specific developmental needs of communities in which it operates, through a process of regular and open dialogue.
For this purpose the Company has developed a Social and Environmental Management System and has a designated Social and Environmental Officer.
D. Implementation
I. Means to Obtain Advice
Many business decisions involve ethical dilemmas and require complex judgments to make the right choice. In cases of uncertainty, all officers and employees are expected to act responsibly and raise ethical dilemmas with their managers. Should this not lead to a satisfactory solution, the ethical issue is to be raised with Internal Audit Manager (the Designated Officer) to obtain clarification. All officers and employees have the right to make confidential reports directly to the Designated Officer who in turn shall decide whether to report the matter to the Audit Committee to recommend appropriate action against any director or employee who acts in a manner inconsistent with this Code of Ethics.
For this purpose the Company has developed a Whistleblower Policy, which is posted on the Company’s website.
II. Processes and Responsibility
Each individual is responsible for his or her ethical behaviour. The Company has implemented a procedure for all officers and employees to regularly state that they understand and apply the provisions of this Code of Ethics. Adherence to this Code is further made obligatory as it is referenced in all employee contracts and linked to disciplinary procedures. A copy of this Code of Ethics is displayed in every field offices of the Company.
The principles and provisions in this Code of Ethics have been integrated into the Company's system of internal control. Rigorous and objective processes to measure performance, identify gaps and implement measures to address ethical gaps are regularly reviewed and modified.
Wilful or careless breach or neglect of this Code of Ethics will be treated as a serious disciplinary action and can lead to the termination of employment.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Commissioners (BOC) periodically reviews and updates compliance with these principles, and formulates proposals for the BOC’s approval.
III. Training Programme
The Company offers an introductory ethics training course once per year for all new officers and employees. This course offers practical examples of this Code of Ethics in action.
Periodic and specialized training courses are further offered to the Company's officers and employees as part of the Company's continuous professional education programme.