- The objective is to encourage the development of formal Compliance programs in companies in the IT sector, ensuring ethical treatment of employees and competitors.
- Now, ABES members can join the Independent Whistleblower Channel of the Uma Empresa Etica Initiative
A reference entity in the information and communication technology sector in Brazil, ABES has strengthened its role in guiding its associates on the need for them to develop integrity programs, with ethical rules against corruption, unfair competition, fraud and different types of harassment in the corporate environment and in the relationship with the government.
“Our association is recognized for the work developed in the fight against software piracy and we have gone further. We remain committed to building a more ethical and reliable market, this time encouraging the adoption of Compliance programs in the ICT sector, ensuring fair, sustainable, efficient and more credible trade”, highlights Rodolfo Fücher, president of ABES.
In addition to renewing its own Code of Ethics, creating an Interaction Policy with Public Agents, implementing an Integrity Program, that is, setting an example, ABES launched the "Initiative"An Ethical Company", aimed at associates, through which they have technical, legal and financial support to establish a Compliance program in their companies.
Legal and Compliance support
Members are guided by the Compliance Officer of the entity and, now, they can join an Independent Whistleblower Channel, a safe, reliable service and in compliance with the Anti-Corruption Law nº 12.846/2013 (Clean Company Law).
“The legislation provides for severe punishments and a company can be held accountable for any illicit act that benefits it, including that committed by suppliers, outsourced workers or employees, even without their managers' knowledge. We encourage a culture of preventing and fighting corruption, which benefits associates, the market and the country,” explains Carolina Marzano, lawyer and Compliance Officer at ABES.
Any Brazilian company is subject to this rule and, in Brazil, there are situations in which it is necessary to have a Compliance program in order to do business with public bodies or private companies. This program is also essential for organizations that aim to operate in other countries or sell services and products to multinationals.
Technical and financial support
The subscription to the Independent Whistleblower Channel of the “An Ethical Company” Initiative is available in two types of plans exclusively for ABES members. Are they:
- Silver (free): one admin user, standard "An Ethical Company" site and standard layout;
- Gold (R$199.00 monthly): three admin users; standard website "An ethical company" and with some customization;
In the first three months of use, all plans will be available free of charge to members, as a way of encouraging companies to join the program.
After this period, the respective monthly amount of the chosen plan will be charged.
“We remind you that the Whistleblower Channel is one of the stages of a Compliance Program, which must be part of a company policy with engagement from top management. Members must develop a Code of Ethics, periodically train their staff, make the program public so that suppliers and customers can adhere to it, monitor and evaluate the program.
ABES is at the disposal of its associates to guide them on this journey”, completes Carolina.
To start using the channel is very easy: go to the website www.UmaEmpresaEtica.com.br, click on "plans", choose the desired option and fill in the formulation with the requested information.
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