Sasbadi Annual Report 2020

Developing Competencies We aspire to grow with our people and we invest in both their work-related and personal development. In general, we continuously monitor our employees and offer training and upskilling opportunities that are relevant to their areas of work, positions, talents and interests. We provide both internal and external training, as well as on-the-job training, particularly in technical and management skills. Our established appraisal guidelines also enable us to identify and implement development programmes for our employees. Occupational Safety and Health The Group endeavours to ensure our employees work in a safe and healthy environment. Not only does it benefit the well-being of our employees, it ensures the Group’s productivity which is crucial during these challenging times. We have implemented guidelines and regulations to prevent, reduce and address occupational injuries as well as to stem the spread of COVID-19. Our internal reporting protocol dictates that any workplace accidents, occupational diseases and matters relating to the health and safety of our employees shall first be reported to the Human Resources Department. They would subsequently be escalated to Management followed by the BOD if necessary, depending on the severity of the matter. As part of our fight to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Group continues to enforce safe distancing measures and we embrace telecommuting arrangements for employees who can effectively fulfil their roles doing so. Other efforts include the provision of face masks and hand sanitisers to employees, and to actively promote the wearing of face masks at all times. Any suspicion of an infection is actively monitored and the employee will be sent for screening if deemed necessary. During the FYE 31 August 2020, there has not been any incident of work-related injuries, nor were there any cases of COVID-19 infections amongst our members of staff. We had 2 employees who indicated possibilities of being infected but they were sent for screening and their results returned negative. We will continue to implement control measures and strive for a zero-incident workplace. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP We acknowledge that for the long-term sustainability of the Group, sound environmental stewardship is necessary. Thus, we are committed to minimising any adverse impact of our operations on the environment. Material Sourcing and Managing Waste We place great care in the usage of our raw materials: paper. We manage material wastage arising from the manufacturing of books as well as excess stocks by applying stringent controls on our printers and making data-driven decisions to prevent over-printing. Proper care is taken to store our raw materials and finished products so as to avoid damages. Older stocks still fit for use are cleared through markdown sales and donated to organisations while remainders are recycled. For the FYE 31 August 2020, production wastage is kept at 1%, which is within the current standard set by the Group. We are continuously evaluating and improving our processes to reduce wastage. To the best of our abilities, our purchase of raw materials are made from manufacturers who support sustainability initiatives and bodies, such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (“SFI”), Forest Stewardship Council (“FSC”) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (“PEFC”). Without compromising on quality and with the consent of our customers, we would also incorporate products made from recycled paper into our product mix. To meet the needs arising from the ever changing education landscape, we have dedicated a significant portion of our resources to developing digital education solutions. By offering digital products, we are able to empower our customers with 21st century educational technology while reducing our carbon footprint and other negative impacts on the environment. BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY We believe that the responsibility to ensure our young generation receives the quality education they deserve falls on our society as a whole. As a corporate citizen, the Group contributes via our Corporate Social Responsibility activities in our effort to ensure underserved communities do not get left behind. Reaching out during unprecedented times The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the learning of all Malaysian children, particularly students taking the SPM 2020 exams. Due to the crucial role the examination plays in determining students’ pathways to higher education and future careers, SPM is scheduled to commence amidst a multitude of uncertainties. Moreover, due to school closures and the Movement Control Order, the Group feels that SPM 2020 candidates are facing an uphill challenge of receiving the academic support they need to perform well in SPM 2020. SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT 31 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 (continued)