Commited to human and labor rights
Respecting people, human and labor rights is fundamental to Aker. Collaboration with employee representatives has been part of 'The Aker Model' for decades. This approach builds organizations with a strong workforce, skilled executives, and role models. Aker is dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and respect at all levels of our organization.
Global Framework Agreement - a commitment to human rights and labor standards
Through the Global Framework Agreement, Aker and its industrial companies have committed to respecting and supporting fundamental human rights and trade union rights. The applicable principles are laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Aker is committed to promoting a safe and healthy working environment and has reaffirmed its commitment through the the framework agreement. Together with the industrial portfolio companies, Aker uses its influence and works to ensure that the principles set out in the agreement also extend to the companies’ supply chains and business partners. An updated Global Framework Agreement between Aker ASA and the unions IndustriALL Global Union, Fellesforbundet, Tekna and Nito, was signed in August 2023.
Global Works Council – enhancing collaboration and operational excellence
Aker operates a Global Works Council (GWC) which represents the company, employee representatives, and industrial portfolio companies on a global scale. The GWC aims to address and discuss key issues related to operational status, employee welfare, and strategic initiatives. Aker's President and CEO, along with top management of our operating companies, actively participates in the GWC. In 2023, the GWC organized two conferences that focused on operational status.
Dialogue and trust through the Aker Model
Aker and Aker-owned companies have a long tradition of trust-based and close cooperation between owners, management and union representatives. The informal and trust-based dialogue, adds an extra dimension beyond collective agreements. Involvement and inclusion motive participation, leading to better decisions and effective implementation.
We refer to this as 'the Aker Model'. The cooperation model contributes to securing and develop future-oriented companies and workplaces.
We invest in our employees
Aker systematically promotes a safe and healthy work environment through continuous improvements in health, safety and well-being measures. By focusing on health and welfare, Aker ensures a highly skilled and motivated workforce. Aker is committed to ensuring that employees have a good work-life balance. Aker offers competitive wages, as well as benefits such as access to occupational health services and a fitness center. Additionally, all employees receive an insurance package, and primary caregivers are given full wages in connection with childbirth or adoption.
Aker ASA is dedicated to ensuring equality, diversity, and inclusion in all parts of the business. In 2023, the wellness rate at Aker was 97.6 percent, corresponding to a sickness absence of 2.4 percent. Aker had 49 employees in 2023, of which 49 percent were women. In most Aker-owned companies, women are well represented, while active efforts are still being made to ensure a better gender balance among both leaders and other employees.
CXO – Aker’s executive management program
Developing capable executives to manage the companies where Aker is an active industrial owner has always been a priority. To train future executives, Aker established the executive management program, CXO, in 2021. Participants deepen their insight into Aker group companies, learn about various relevant business segments, and work on their personal leadership skills, building an executive leadership toolbox. The program also includes a mentoring process to help participants apply what they learn in their daily practice. Each program cycle spans one year and ensures equal participation of both men and women.
The CXO program offers numerous benefits, including enhanced leadership capabilities, a broader understanding of Aker's diverse business operations, and the development of a strong professional network. The goal of the program is to ensure that graduates of the program are well-equipped to take on senior management roles and drive the company's strategic initiatives forward.
We invest in our communities
Aker is a driving force in developing knowledge-based industries that creates value for shareholders, customers, and society. We are committed to social responsibility and aim to positively impact the people around us. Our commitment is demonstrated through our investments in Aker Scholarship and the VI Foundation.
Read more about these initiatives below:
Aker Scholarship – investing in future leaders
Aker Scholarship supports talented Norwegians from all fields of study to take Master and Ph.D. degrees at nine world-leading universities.
With the goal of developing future leaders in business, academia, and society; students receive full funding for their studies, along with guidance and practical support throughout their academic journey and early careers. Since 2015, 191 students have embarked on their studies with an Aker Scholarship, and in 2023, 25 new students were awarded scholarships. The scholarships are granted by the Anne Grete Eidsvig and Kjell Inge Røkke Charitable Foundation for Education, which is privately funded by Aker’s main owner, Kjell Inge Røkke. Aker ASA oversees the administration of the foundation, with Aker’s CEO, Øyvind Eriksen, serving as Chair.
Stiftelsen VI
Stiftelsen VI (the VI Foundation) was founded in 2018 by Kjell Inge Røkke’s privately-owned company, The Resource Group, together with Aker Group. The goal was to promote equal opportunities and quality of life for people with disabilities. Aker ASA’s Chair, Kjell Inge Røkke, privately funds the foundation’s basic capital requirement, as well as its operating costs. Aker ASA companies in Aker Group make financial contributions. Stiftelsen VI aims to promote public health in a broad understanding of the term, with sports, education, and working life as the main focus areas. Sport can be used as a vehicle to become more active in different aspects of life. A better education opens for more possibilities to work and contribute to society. A more inclusive work force increases the chances of getting a job. In order to achieve its goals, the foundation aims to eliminate barriers and create shared spaces where individuals with disabilities can thrive and perform just as well as those without disabilities.
Stiftelsen VI works to ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities, raising awareness of the benefits of closing the exclusion gap in sports, the workplace and society in general. Its goal is to change day-to-day attitudes and actions to create positive ripple effects in all parts of society.In addition to the Aker companies, the foundation also cooperates with other companies. Aker welcomes more businesses to join and contribute to join and contribute to making a difference in the race for equality.
Championing sports excellence and inclusion initiatives
Together with Stiftelsen VI, Aker support the Norwegian Board Sports Federation and the Norwegian Rowing Federation in their efforts to include athletes with disabilities on equal terms with other athletes.
As main sponsors of the Norwegian Board Sports Federation, Aker and Stiftelsen VI's goal is to contribute to the federation’s elite sports initiatives and further enhance their commitment for inclusion at all levels.
We are also sponsors of the Norwegian Rowing Federation, supporting their initiatives for “One Sport – Equal Opportunities.” Through several sponsor agreements, the Rowing Federation has secured a solid foundation for efforts towards the Olympics and Paralympics in 2028.
Aker and Aker-owned companies provide economic support to 11 sport federations in Norway that demonstrate commitment and have concrete action plans to include athletes with disabilities.
The Transparency Act
The Transparency Act is a new Norwegian law, which shall promote enterprises’ respect for fundamental human rights and decent working conditions in connection with the production of goods and the provision of services. It will ensure the general public access to information regarding how enterprises address adverse impacts on fundamental human rights and decent working conditions, as well as secure public access to information.
The Act applies to larger enterprises that are residents in Norway and that offer goods and services in or outside Norway. The Act also applies to larger foreign enterprises that offer goods and services in Norway.
The Act imposes enterprises to establish guidelines, perform human rights due diligence, establish actions to mitigate risk, monitor results, stakeholder dialogue and access to remedy. The Act became effective on 1st of July 2022.
Aker ASA and its subsidiaries have established guidelines and routines to safeguard human rights and decent working conditions in our business operations. Core governing documents for Aker’s management and compliance of human rights and decent working conditions are:
- Code of Conduct
- Sustainability Policy
- Aker’s Global Framework Agreement with unions
- Code of Conduct for Business Partners
Requests related to Aker’s management and compliance with the Transparency Act can be sent to transparency@akerasa.com.
In accordance with Section 5 of the Norwegian Transparency Act, Aker's annual Transparency Act Report, is available in the Sustainability Library. The report also covers Aker's wholly-owned subsidiaries, Aker Capital AS and Aker Holding AS (non-operating holding companies).
In its governing documents, Aker has clearly expressed its ambitions and expectations regarding Aker Group companies and business partners' efforts to minimize negative impacts on people, the environment, and locally communities through responsible business practices