Community access/involvement.
We are proud to say that our company’s greatest strengths are its employees and the extraordinarily positive relationships we have had with all the communities in which we work. Regal Springs knows that employees have important needs ranging from medical care to financial services to nutrition. As an employer, we have the unique opportunity to provide for the employees in more ways than just salary. We provide for basic needs through the addition of benefits. By providing benefits that target important needs of the people, we increase effective compensation while ensuring that these needs are being met and not neglected.
We have a dedicated “social activity” budget at every site, with which to foster entrepreneurship and infrastructure in local communities. We welcome involvement by the community, in any form. For example: After years of encouraging local small scale farmers in northern Sumatra to become production partners, we are recently seeing an enthusiastic response. Local farmers purchase fingerlings from us, raise them, and sell them back when the fish have grown to 500-700 grams. These are then sold in Singapore as whole fish.
In 1999, Regal Springs began a fingerling production collaboration with several fish farmers in Yogyakarta province in Central Java. A number of farmers converted their rice paddies into fish ponds in order to participate in this collaboration. Many noted that their work would be more labour intensive than rice farming, but they were eager to earn a higher income. Regal Springs supplies the farmers with swim-up fry, free of charge; and Regal Springs subsequently buys back the fingerlings when they have reached 13 – 15 grams in weight. All fingerlings are weighed, using calibrated digital scales to ensure a clear and fair calculation for paying the farmers.
Farmers report that they have had tremendous economic benefit from this venture. They have increased the land’s productivity, and can work year-round. Their profits are twice that of their previous rice farming. Our company benefits from good relations with the community, and from the biological and financial benefit of having our fish started on natural food in the farmer’s ponds.
After a decade of success, more than 150 farmers are involved, using at least 5- hectares of land. 50% of the land in owned by the farmers, while the remaining 50% in rented annually. The farmers rotate the use of the land, at all times allowing one third of the land to lie fallow, to halt the life cycle of possible pathogens.
Schools.
Regal Springs supports local schools in whatever manner is needed. We fund 84 schools in Honduras alone, encouraging an environmental curriculum that educates the next generation on how to preserve and enhance their country’s natural resources.
Freedom of Association and Mobilization.
We consider it imperative that our employees are truly free individuals, free to mobilize, free to express their needs and ideas. We are aware of other industrials around us in which employees feel trapped, dependent but powerless under their employers. Regal Springs hopes to be an example of a better system. We believe that employees are the heart and soul of Regal Springs, and if they are not thriving, then nothing in our operations will do well.
Health and safety and living conditions.
Our managers regularly conduct inquests into the health and safety of our employees – not only on site, but also asking questions about their home communities. Do they need medical resources for their community? Do they have safe transportation? Are they satisfied living conditions? (For an example of how we explore the well being of our employees, please do not hesitate to ask our office for a report on our newest site in Mexico).
Wages.
Our workers receive prompt, punctual payments for their labour. We are well-known for paying above minimum wage, and we also give generous bonuses at holidays or at significant production milestones. We give our utmost attention to ensure all employees are fairly treated.
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