'Novartis COVID-19 Good Practice Guidance for Third Parties'

...We must continue to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines to patients, which requires that any disruption to our supply chains be avoided or minimized. At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure that the production of Novartis medicines does not cause or contribute to adverse impacts on the health and safety, labor rights or other human rights of Novartis associates or workers in our supply chains as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to achieve both these objectives to the greatest extent possible... we are providing this Guidance to suppliers on recommended good practices during the... pandemic...

Physical Distancing [...]

Personal Hygiene [...]

Compliance with Novartis Third Party Code [...]

Respect for Labor Rights

- The employers of 3rd party service providers, who are usually required to work onsite at a Novartis location (i.e. employees of external service providers... and contractors...) should provide the same or similar support that is available to Novartis associates...

- Respect workers’ right to paid sick leave – be flexible in requiring proof of sickness...

- Respect workers’ right to reasonable working hours...

Respect for Health and Safety [...]

Dormitories and Worksite Accommodation [...]

Migrant Workers

- Take special attention to respect the labor rights and health and safety of workers who come from outside the country or region of the worksite, and who may be especially vulnerable due to lack of knowledge of local language or laws...

- Do not return migrant workers who have been admitted on a permanent basis, or their family members, to their home countries or regions solely on the basis that the worker is unable to fulfill work functions due to illness (including COVID-19)...