Guardian Holdings recognises that Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) is an integral part
of enlightened business practice and strategy. GHL
is therefore committed to running its
business to high ethical, legal and professional
standards and, to fulfill this mandate, member
companies focus on four key areas: community,
environment, marketplace (ethical finance)
and workplace (health and safety, human resources
and industrial relations practices and
policies).
In terms of social investment, member companies have
devised various mechanisms to
reach out to key sectors of our communities. For
example, awareness of safe driving practice
in Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados is heightened
through a road safety initiative, now in its 17th
year. The current branded Road Safe programme is
disseminated through press,
television, a mascot, a board game, a defensive
driving booklet and a roll out across schools
in those islands.
In recognition of the global trend of aging
populations, Fatum launched in 2005 a national
Pension Seminar in Curacao which was expanded to
include Aruba and St. Maarten. This
B-2-B Pension Seminar allows public and private
sector officials the opportunity to discuss
and develop crucial pension themes. These include
new legislation for self-employed workers,
and the future of Fatum’s first “pillar” pension. As
an added incentive, Fatum encourages
companies to adopt pension plans with their
respected Best in Business Award, earned by
those companies who achieve business excellence in
different areas.
Just as importantly, employees are picking up the
challenge of reaching out to the socially
displaced in our midst. They are doing so not just
through personal financial commitments but
through hands on involvement with families and
groups.
GHL recognises the importance of literate societies
to generate high quality human resource
capital. At the primary school level, Group
companies have partnered with technical experts
and the Ministries of Education in Barbados, Jamaica
and Trinidad & Tobago to produce
educational software and, in one instance, a video
series on Mathematics and English for the 8
to 12 year old age group. At the same time,
collaboration continued with The University of the
West Indies via the annual Premium Teaching Lecture
Series and Awards in the St. Augustine,
Mona and Cave Hill campuses. In 2008 Guardian Life
of the Caribbean and the St. Augustine
campus will mark the tenth anniversary of this
unique corporate/academic partnership.
The Caribbean has been buffeted by rising crime
rates in recent years. The Group continues
to promote a positive lifestyle by involvement in
sport through its sixth consecutive year of
sponsorship of the IAAF sanctioned regional Carifta
Games, the premiere track and field event
for junior athletes. As with all major sponsorships,
GHL personnel take an active role in the
planning of the event.
Every individual and organisation has a direct
impact on the environment. It is both a
corporate responsibility and an obligation to
minimise any such adverse impact and take proactive
steps to conserve and preserve Planet Earth. To this
end, GHL member companies
comply with the requirements of environmental
legislation and approved codes of practice in
the countries in which they operate. The
conservation and preservation cause is promoted
through support of an independent Wildlife Trust,
established in 1992.
Our employees are also engaging in a number of
corporate green initiatives aimed at reducing
the carbon footprint of the group. Proposals include
more effective recycling schemes, and
reductions in paper usage and power consumption. In
the UK, opportunities are being explored
with a number of key broker partners surrounding eco
friendly car insurance schemes.
A Group Green Policy which will be applicable to all
territories is being developed and will
be communicated to all employees by the third
quarter of 2008. This will also help to raise
awareness, encourage participation and train
employees in environmental matters.
