|
 |
| CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT |
| |
Introduction |
Sigor Corporation must act in an honest
and ethical manner at all times.
The ethical behavior due to cultural diversity periodically is not consistent with the local
law and makes it difficult to determine whether an action is lawful. Sigor Corporation developed
a Code to assist employees in making decisions related to their day-to-day operations.
This Code is applicable to all Sigor Corporation employees full-time and part-time not
excluding Executive Officers. This Code was developed throughout extensive consultations with
industry representatives. The comparison of our policies of business practices to those of other
international companies mainly in the USA and Europe were conducted. It is appropriate to ask
your manager or one of the company’s attorneys about internal policies and the company’s culture
if your hiring manager has not already introduced you to it. Every employee who has executive or
managerial responsibilities is expected to communicate this Code to employees reporting to him or
her and will be required to sign an annual acknowledgment of adherence to the Code. All the
reports related to misconduct will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and appropriate actions
will be taken. Failure to seek timely advice will not be accepted as an excuse to violate the Code.
|
World Wide Activities |
Sigor Corporation will comply with the laws
applicable to the Company's business in the countries
in which it operates. The company and its employees will comply with all legal requirements
applicable to our business. Not knowing the local law does not release anyone from being held
responsible for their actions. Each employee must comprehend the laws that govern his or her work.
Unlawful conduct will not be tolerated and legitimate corporate objectives can not be used as an
excuse. It is always useful to consult with your manager about the law that governs your daily
activities. In cases when timely legal advice is not possible, employees should act in the
manner in which they will not hesitate to disclose the details of their behavior publicly.
|
Public Officials and Public Relations |
Payments or gifts to public officials, whether or not
through an agent or joint venture partner,
are not permitted except under specific and limited circumstances.
Under no circumstances should a payment or gift be made or offered to a public official with a
view to assisting Sigor Corporation to obtain or retain business, or to effect the enactment or
enforcement of any laws. Participation, whether directly or indirectly (e.g., through the use
of an intermediary), in any bribe, kickback or payment is prohibited. In those countries where
Sigor Corporation does or plan to conduct business, government employees may expect small
"facilitating payments" for expediting routine governmental actions that they are required to
perform anyway. Sigor Corporation is opposed to make facilitating payments and every reasonable
effort should be made to minimize such payments. These payments may however be part of the
locally understood and accepted compensation arrangements for these officials, and as a practical
matter are sometimes unavoidable. These facilitating payments may only be made when all of the
following conditions are met:
|
|
·
The action or service required is clearly necessary and represent
essential business needs for Sigor Corporation;
·
There is no reasonable alternative other then to make the payment;
·
The facilitating payment is not being made for corrupt motives
(i.e., to convince the official to misuse his or her official position);
·
The facilitating payment cannot reasonably be expected to expose neither Sigor Corporation
nor its employees to prosecution;
·
Approval of the payment has been obtained from senior management of the country concern;
·
The amount is consistent with what is customarily paid in such circumstances and appropriate
accounting records created for taxation purposes.
|
Appointments of agents or other representatives including joint
venture partners should be approved by the
senior manager and company’s legal representative of the related Company office to ensure compliance with
Sigor Corporation’s legal obligations. The alternative way of gaining a government's respect and confidence,
the Company encourages open and transparent contributions to good works such as charities, education or non-government
organizations that benefit the community as a whole, as well as, Sigor Corporation’s reputation.
|
Political Contributions |
The Company encourages employees to participate in political
activities, provided that they do not involve the use of
Company funds, time, equipment, supplies, facilities, or other resources. Each employee is encouraged to participate
in the electoral process as a citizen and to fully exercise his or her right to vote, they should ensure that it is
clear that they are acting on their own behalf and not as a representative of the Company.
|
Gifts or Benefits |
Employees shall not offer or give on behalf of Sigor Corporation extravagant gifts or excessive entertainment or benefits
to others. Modest gifts and reasonable entertainment are allowed to be given for business purposes by appropriate
employees, where legally permitted and in accordance with local business practices, to persons or entities doing business
or seeking to do business with Sigor Corporation. Cash or cash value vouchers are not to be given. Gifts or entertainment
given on behalf of Sigor Corporation should be of a nature and amount that avoid embarrassment and would not reflect
unfavorably on Sigor Corporation or the recipient, if subjected to public scrutiny. Employees must not use their position
to obtain personal gain or benefit from those doing or seeking to do business with Sigor Corporation. Employees are
required to select and deal with suppliers, customers and others doing or seeking to do business with Sigor Corporation
in a completely impartial manner. The modest gifts and reasonable entertainment may be received from business associates
of Sigor Corporation. Cash or cash value vouchers are not to be accepted. Gifts or benefits of a more substantial nature
from customers or suppliers are not encouraged. However, occasionally there are special circumstances that may apply
(e.g., developing a business relationship) and, in such cases, permission must be obtained from your manager. Employees
must not use their position to obtain personal gain or benefit from companies or others doing or seeking to do business
with Sigor Corporation.
|
Conflicts of Interest |
Sigor Corporation recognizes and respects an employee's
right to take part in financial, business and other activities
outside their jobs, but these activities must be free of conflict with their responsibilities as Sigor Corporation
employees. Employees must avoid acquiring any interests or participating in any activities that would tend:
|
|
·
To create an obligation or distraction which would affect their judgment or ability to act
solely in the Company's best interests;
·
To deprive Sigor Corporation of the time or attention required to perform their duties properly;
·
Create ownership or an ownership interest in a competing business.
|
All employees must disclose to their manager, in writing, all
business, commercial or financial interests or
activities where their activities might reasonably be regarded as creating an actual or potential conflict with their
duties of employment. Every employee of the Company who has executive or managerial responsibility is required to see
that actions taken and decisions made within his or her jurisdiction are free from the influence of any interests that
might reasonably be regarded as conflicting with those of Sigor Corporation. Employees must do more than merely act
within the law. Not only actual conflicts of interest, but the very appearance of conflict, must be avoided.
|
|
·
The holding, directly or by a member of the employee's immediate or competing with the company include: family
(e.g. spouse, children, parents, brothers, sisters), of a substantial financial interest in any business
entity that does or seeks to do business with, or is in competition with, Sigor Corporation. A substantial financial
interest will be presumed where ownership is in excess of 1% in a company traded on a stock exchange and the investment
constitutes more than 5% of the employee's total assets, or where an ownership interest in any other business contributes
more than 10% of the annual income of the employee and his or her immediate family;
·
A profit-sharing arrangement, creditor/debtor relationship with such an entity;
·
The acceptance of any loan, service or other benefit from any such entity (other than borrowing
on commercial terms from entities that are in the business of lending).
|
Confidential and Proprietary Information |
The Company's records, reports, papers, processes, plans
and methods are proprietary and confidential unless
previously published. Employees are prohibited from revealing information concerning such matters without proper
authorization. Proprietary information developed or acquired by Sigor Corporation, including trade secrets and other
technical, financial and business information, is a valuable asset that must be kept confidential and protected against
theft, loss or misuse. Confidential or proprietary information must never be used for personal gain. The disclosure of
Sigor Corporation’s confidential or proprietary information to external entities (other than approved auditors, lawyers or
banking institutions) must be authorized by a President and should be limited to those who have a strict "need-to-know"
requirement. Any disclosure to these external entities must be made subject to the completion of a confidentiality
agreement restricting the recipient from disclosing or using the information in an unauthorized manner. Sigor Corporation
retains the exclusive proprietary right to any information developed by employees in the course of their employment with
Sigor Corporation. Examples may include inventions, designs, discoveries or software programs.
|
Insider Trading |
Employees are encouraged to invest in Sigor Corporation’s shares,
but must avoid trading when in possession of
confidential material information which, if generally available, would reasonably be expected to either have an
effect on the market price or value of those shares or affect an investor's decision as to whether to buy, sell or
hold Sigor Corporation’s shares. Such activity is self-evidently unethical. Employees must exercise the highest
degree of caution if they are aware of price-sensitive information.
|
Information Systems |
Sigor Corporation’s computers and information systems are
valuable assets of the company and their use must be in accordance with company policies designed to protect the
integrity of those systems and associated data. Company’s policies are:
|
|
·
Employees are responsible for protecting and maintaining the
confidentiality of company information which is communicated or stored using these systems, including use of
passwords and properly secured communication methods;
·
For employees that have access to company information systems modest
personal use is permitted if it is unrelated to outside business activities, does not interfere with company business
or the performance of work responsibilities, and is not performed during working hours;
·
All computer software used on the company's computers must be properly licensed. Employees who illegally copy software
in the course of their employment expose not only themselves, but the company, to potential significant liability,
as an employer may also be held liable for the actions of its employees;
·
Employees are not permitted to load computer software onto their
company computer without the permission of the Information or Business Systems manager for the relevant company office;
·
Messages created, distributed or stored on either the electronic mail or automated voice mail systems are
considered the property of Sigor Corporation. Sigor Corporation reserves the right to access messages.
This access is necessary for many reasons, including the investigation of breaches of security or corporate procedures
or to respond to external requests for information that Sigor Corporation is legally required to provide.
Offensive material (e.g., pornography, hate literature, etc.) is not permitted on Sigor Corporation systems;
·
Sensitive transactions (e.g. take-over bids, acquisitions, etc.) must not be conducted electronically unless an
appropriate level of security is implemented to protect the confidentiality of the material.
|
Financial Controls and Records |
All accounting and financial records must be maintained to
accurately reflect all company transactions in order to meet
statutory requirements and to ensure proper preparation of the company's financial statements. All transactions affecting
the company must be properly authorized, approved, and recorded in accordance with both the relevant generally accepted
accounting principles and the highest standards of integrity. There shall be no cash funds, bank accounts, investments or
other assets which are not recorded or are inadequately recorded in the company's accounting records. Accounting and
financial records must be adequately protected from destruction or tampering. Each operating unit is responsible for the
design, implementation and maintenance of adequate systems of internal accounting and administrative controls.
The accounting and financial records must also be retained for a sufficient period of time to meet both the relevant
local legal requirements and those required by Sigor Corporation corporate office. All employees are responsible for
establishing and maintaining an effective system of accounting and administrative controls in the area of their
responsibility. The objective of these controls is to provide assurance that all assets are adequately protected,
properly used and the financial records accurately reflect the assets and liabilities of the company. Management of
every regional office is responsible for knowing what can go wrong in their area of responsibility, and to be alert for
symptoms of wrongdoing, loss or errors. Accordingly they are expected and authorized to intervene to investigate and
take action in situations at operations within their region where they believe financial controls are not meeting standards
or are at risk. Questions relating to accounting and financial records should be referred to the Chief Financial Officer or
equivalent senior financial executive with responsibility for the relevant region, all of whom have available copy of the
Financial Control Policies. There must be no concealment of information from Sigor Corporation’s internal or external
auditors or Legal Counsel. Internal control provides Sigor Corporation with a system of checks and balances to assist
in ensuring that accounting and administrative policies are complied with throughout the company. This is not only a
good business practice, but also ensures compliance with the various securities and tax laws to which Sigor Corporation
is subject.
|
Commitments |
Sigor Corporation is committed to it policy. The key elements of this policy are:
|
|
·
Corporate Commitment: An effective management system based on ethical
conduct to continuously improving performance; integration of sustainability as an essential element in the duties of
all employees;
·
Public Responsibility: Communication with stakeholders and working
towards consensus based on honest discussion and a mutual understanding of concerns and needs;
·
Social Progress: Contribution to the quality of life of employees,
local communities and host countries, while respecting their cultures, needs and priorities;
·
Environment: Protection of human health and ecosystem;
·
Economic Benefits: Integration of our activities with the economic
development objectives of local communities and host countries in which we operate.
|
Harassment or Discrimination |
The Company will not permit discrimination, intimidation or
harassment of, or by, employees on the basis of race,
gender, marital status, national origin or religious beliefs or on the basis of any other personal characteristics
protected by law. Discrimination is not permitted at any level of the Company or in any part of the employment
relationship. This includes areas such as recruitment, promotion, training opportunities, salary, benefits and
terminations. Sigor Corporation’s employees are required, to sustain an environment that encourages personal respect
and mutual trust. All the differences between individuals, such as in race, gender, religion and physical limitations,
are to be respected. Employees can expect to have their dignity honored and their rights protected. Employees are
entitled to freedom from sexual and all other forms of personal harassment.
|
Health and Safety |
Sigor Corporation will provide safe and healthy working conditions,
develop, maintain and promote safe and productive
work practices in all aspects of its business and comply with all occupational health and safety laws and regulations
governing its activities. Sigor Corporation considers the safety and health of its employees to be of utmost importance
in the efficient conduct of its business, and believes that management and each and every employee have a shared
responsibility in the promotion of health and safety in the workplace. Some points of Sigor Corporation Safety Policy
include: |
|
·
That safety and occupational health considerations are an integral
part of all our activities;
·
That safe work practices and procedures be established for each
activity where potential risks occur, and that each employee be required to follow those practices and procedures;
·
That each employee is provided with appropriate information,
training and protective equipment so that assigned work can be carried out in a safe and productive manner.
|
Compliance with the Code |
The Code of Business Conduct is a public document.
All employees who are aware of any breaches of this Code must report the matter immediately to their manager.
Sigor Corporation views breaches of the Code by employees as serious misconduct.
Employees who breach the policies outlined in the Code may be subject to disciplinary action up to and
including dismissal. If the situation involves a violation of law, the matter may also be referred to the appropriate
law enforcement authority for consideration. The employee’s manager should promptly discuss the reported breach with
the Senior Legal Counsel in order that its legal significance to Sigor Corporation can be properly assessed. The manager
shall submit for approval to the next higher level of management his or her written recommendation as to what action should
be taken. All employees who have executive or managerial responsibilities are required to sign an annual acknowledgement
of adherence to the Code. The completed Acknowledgement must be submitted to the Senior Manager by January 13th of each
year. |
No retaliatory action will be taken or permitted against an
employee making good faith reports of a suspected breach of the Code. |
|
 |
|
|