The Resource Centre invited Hero MotoCorp to respond to the below questions regarding Hero MotoCorp’s supply chain, due diligence, health and safety standards and compensation:

1.  To confirm that Lifelong India is within Hero MotoCorp supply chain, including specifying the time frame of your procurement from this facility.

2. Outline the investigation and due diligence process Hero MotoCorp has conducted in relation to this incident.

3. To confirm the measures taken to ensure adherence to health and safety standards both before and after the incident, and outline the corrective actions that have been identified and addressed.

4. To confirm that appropriate remedies and compensation are being provided to the affected workers by Hero MotoCorp? Specifically: 

• That compensation is calculated to ensure full reparation, adequate to cover full and long-term needs of family, non-discriminatory and proportional 
• That the rest of the promised compensation be disbursed 
• That the rest of the families of deceased workers receive the same compensation as the two families who have already received partial payments 
• That workers have access to ESI (Employee State Insurance) 

Hero MotoCorp's response

Hero MotoCorp prioritizes employee well-being, creates a safe and healthy work environment and adheres to ISO 45001-certified processes and guidelines. All its facilities are operated under the certified Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management systems. It strives for a zero-incident culture and conducts safety audits, training, and drills, encouraging risk-based thinking. Hero MotoCorp is an equal opportunity employer and through its employee-centric policies has an integrated approach focused on inclusivity, employee wellness, work-life balance and flexible benefits, that address the expectations of its diverse workforce. It nurtures good physical (including occupational), mental and psycho-social health and offers a comprehensive range of best-in-class benefits at every stage of the employee lifecycle. The company has achieved zero-waste-to-landfill, has a water positivity rate of 455% and provides a detailed overview of its initiatives under the nine ESG principles through the Business Responsibility & Sustainability Report annually. 

Hero MotoCorp drives the propagation of safety, environmental performance and welfare as key tenets throughout its supplier network and these aspects are part of its supplier selection criteria. A pivotal initiative in pursuit of its comprehensive corporate sustainability objectives is the Sustainable Partner Development Program (SPDP). This program fosters collaborative efforts between the company and its suppliers and dealers, prioritizing annual reviews of all critical compliance and ESG elements.

Hero MotoCorp appreciates the emphasis placed on safety by independent organizations, as it will drive the industry, beyond OEMs, towards more mindful and responsible working environments.