This is a voluntary statement by Rathmar Trading, LLC ("Rathmar"). It sets out how we identify and address the risk of forced labour, child labour, human trafficking and other human-rights harms in our business and supply chains, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the ILO fundamental conventions. We review it every year.
Rathmar trades crude oil, refined products, petrochemicals, chemicals and agricultural commodities from offices in Houston and Zurich. Our supply chains run through producers, originators, refiners, shipowners, terminal operators, inspection companies, road and rail hauliers, and customers in many countries.
Risk concentrates in agricultural origination (child and forced labour in the harvest of cocoa, cotton, sugar cane and coffee); at sea (crew abandonment, withheld wages and confiscated documents); in port, storage and road-transport labour; and in conflict-affected and high-risk areas, where armed groups may control routes, ports or checkpoints.
Counterparty due diligence covers labour and human-rights controversies alongside sanctions and adverse media. Our Counterparty & Supplier Code is part of our contracts. For higher-risk origins we look for traceability to origin and recognized certification, and vessel vetting includes crew-welfare indicators such as Maritime Labour Convention certification.
Before trading in or into a conflict-affected area, we assess whether the trade could benefit armed actors, be diverted, or displace local supply, and we document route, partner and payment choices. Payments to armed groups, including at checkpoints, are prohibited. Where harm cannot be prevented or mitigated, we decline or suspend the trade.
Where we find that a counterparty is causing or contributing to abuse, we require a time-bound remediation plan and end the relationship if it is not met. Where Rathmar has caused or contributed to harm, we take part in remedy.
Traders, operators and compliance staff are trained to recognize forced-labour and trafficking indicators in counterparties, origins and logistics.
Concerns may be raised confidentially at speakup@rathmar.com — see Speak Up. Rathmar does not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith.