Page 34 - MPA ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017

DRIVEN BY PASSION AND PRIDE
POLICY STATEMENTS
Quality Policy
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, customer
focus and compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements,
the Quality Policy of the Mauritius Ports Authority is based on the
principles that identify, manage and evaluate our key business
activities, and reduce process, people, health and safety risk.
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The principles of planning, practices and people are key features
of our Integrated Quality Management System and are monitored
for continuous improvement. Our Integrated Quality Management
System describes the way in which the MPA undertakes its activities
and ensures a coordinated approach across the different business
clusters.
MPA is certified as ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System
and is gearing itself to meet the requirements of ISO 14001
Environmental Management System and ISO 27002 Information
Security Management.
Safety and Health Policy
In line with the Safety and Health Policy Statement, we strive to
provide a healthy and safe workplace for all of our employees,
contractors and visitors by ensuring our Safety motto, which is “we
care for each other”.
Our key objectives are to have:
• a workplace where health and safety management and leadership
is a core responsibility of our managers and supervisors;
• a workplace where health and safety management and leadership
is integrated into core business activities;
• a culture that inspires awareness of and personal responsibility
for health and safety; and
• an occupational health and safety management system that
meets our internal safety requirements and complies with
statutory obligations and expectations.
Environmental Policy
The Authority is committed to minimising the impact of its operations
on the port environment. Caring for the environment is one of the
Authority’s operational concerns. Realising that we work in a global
environment with varying conditions, challenges and capabilities, the
Authority also endeavours to improve the environmental performance
continually through effective environmental management
programmes.
In its continual pursuit of maintaining a sound environment, the MPA
is focusing on the following initiatives:
• Expanding its environmental goals and objectives and monitoring
its progress
• Complying with the relevant environmental laws and regulations
• Developing, constructing and operating its facilities in an
environmentally responsible manner that promotes the
prevention of pollution
• Integrating environmental issues into the business decision-
making process
• Using environmentally responsible products where possible
• Preserving resources by re-using and recycling materials and
using less of them, wherever possible
Security Policy
The Mauritius Ports Authority is responsible for the security and
protection of port infrastructure and assets, and the provision of risk-
based security services. In response to the risk of terrorism, the MPA
has interpreted the International Ship and Port Facility and Security
(ISPS) Code to:
32 MAURITIUS PORTS AUTHORITY | ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17
• ensure compliance with all relevant security legislations;
• maintain a Security Committee, which will meet frequently to
review and update critical procedures and instructions with
respect to its people and operations in emergency circumstances;
• ensure management responsibility and accountability for
security;
audit and review its security system and performance periodically;
• consider the security aspects of all new projects;
• provide and maintain a secure environment for employees,
guests and visitors; and
• continually improve the performance of its security management
system.
In this regard, the port waters and the land area under the control
of the Authority are now being closely and constantly scrutinised
by trained Police and MPA officers operating from a centralised
surveillance control room on a 24/7 basis.
In addition to the MPA’s port security plan, other port facilities and
port service providers have to get their security plans outlining the
measures and procedures undertaken to protect vessels that trade in
the port waters and the port infrastructure that services those vessels
certified by the MPA.
In the pursuit of its mandate for the enhancement of port security,
the Mauritius Ports Authority aligns itself to the requirements of
the National Maritime and Harbour Security Committee for the
implementation of security systems policies and procedures at Port
Louis Harbour and Port Mathurin.
Equal Opportunity Policy
The Mauritius Ports Authority has maintained a long-standing
commitment to equal employment opportunity for all employees and
applicants for employment. Section 9 of the Equal Opportunities Act
2008 provides that every employer needs to draw up and apply an
Equal Opportunity Policy at its place of work with a view to minimising
the risks of discrimination and promoting recruitment, training,
selection and employment on the basis of merit. The principal aims
of an Equal Opportunity Policy Statement are to ensure the following:-
(a) no job applicant or worker receives less favourable treatment
than another, on the basis of his or her status, that is, age, caste,
colour, creed, ethnic origin, impairment, marital status, place of
origin, political opinion, race, sex or sexual orientation;
(b) no job applicant or worker is placed at a disadvantage by
requirements, provisions, criteria, conditions or practices, unless
they can be justified as a necessary and appropriate means of
achieving a legitimate aim; and
(c) workers are given training and encouragement to take equal
advantage of opportunities in the organisation, irrespective of
their status.
In view of our commitment to the principle of equality and to be in line
with the legal requirements, an Equal Opportunity Policy Statement
as approved by the MPA Board has been implemented since July
2013 covering all aspects of employment including recruitment,
terms and conditions of work, training and development, promotion,
performance, grievance, discipline, treatment of workers and
termination of employment.
The Policy Statement will enable the Authority to reduce the
risks of grievances, damage to productivity, staff morale and the
organisation’s reputation as well as foster good relations in the work
place.