Corporate Social Responsibility
Koninklijke Wijma employs a great number of people in West Africa and other countries, who earn a very high wage compared to the local norm. In countries such as Cameroon, Ghana or Côte d'Ivoire it is not unusual for one of our workers to be supporting 8, 9, or even 10 other people.
Humans and environment
In addition, we see to it that our workers anywhere in the world are trained in careful and safe working methods. The working conditions of our employees in, for example, Cameroon do not differ much in this respect from those of our workers in Germany or the Netherlands.
The conscious effort which we make to enforce Western standards of work and safety only apply to the direct sphere of work. During working hours we can compel our workers to treat each other, the environment and the machinery they operate with due care and attention, but outside the workplace we can only lead by example.
Legislation, norms and customs
Habits and opinions which have grown over centuries of time cannot be changed overnight. Moreover, Wijma considers it one of its responsibilities to respect the cultures which it comes into contact with during the course of its business. Exceptions to this rule are only made where there is good reason for doing so, for example if there is a threat to human life or the environment.
We are just as answerable to national legislation, norms and customs in the countries in which we are active, as in our own home country.