GLOBAL COMPACT
COMMUNICATION ON PROGRESS
Company name
Address
Country
Authorized person
Position of the
Authorized Person
Contact Number
Date
Date of Membership
Number of Personnel
Sector
: YÜKSEL HOLDİNG A.Ş.
: Söğütözü Caddesi 14/A-B 06560, Beştepeler/Ankara
: Turkey
: Deniz Sazak
: Corporate Communications and Human Resources Coordinator
: +90 312 284 25 45
: 02/07/2010
: 06/07/2006
: 10,482
: Construction
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF NATURE OF BUSINESS
Yüksel, one of the leading companies in the Turkish construction sector, was established in Ankara in 1963. In the
first years after its inception, the company took on successful projects on dock, port and landing deck constructions.
Yüksel took part in the construction of 1/3 of all the ports in Turkey. The company played key role in the
development of our country’s infrastructure, with many successful transportation, energy, treatment plants and
industrial facility projects.
With consistent growth policies, the company created various sub-industry and service areas to offer a wider range
of services. In 1997, all Yüksel companies, operating in various lines of business like tourism, finance, IT, production
and insurance, were gathered under the roof of Yüksel Holding.
The company aims to provide high quality service with its corporate structure and qualified experienced staff. Yüksel
certifies this with its ISO 9001 Quality Management System, OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety Management System,
and ISO 14001 Environment Management System.
Yüksel, as a member of the International Turkish Contractors Union, has been carrying out major projects in foreign
countries since 1983.
Yüksel has constructed many dams, treatment plants, water transmission systems and storage facilities, power plants
and infrastructure projects in Turkey and abroad. Furthermore, the first sugar factory in Uzbekistan was also built by
Yüksel.
Some of the projects accomplished by Yüksel in foreign countries include; the construction of Bucharest-Constanta
Highway in Romania (between Fundulea-Lehliu Section), General Staff Headquarters in Jordan, the Maintenance of
Coastal Road of Sirte-Ajdabiyah Section shore and the Maintenance of Coastal Road of Dernah-İmsaad Section in
Libya, and the construction of Al-Fateh University Buildings.
Yüksel was listed as one of the ‘ENR’s Top 225 International Contractors’ in 2009, and demonstrated the competitive
edge of the Turkish construction sector in the international arena.
Yüksel continues to carry out major projects both in Turkey and abroad and rightly enjoys looking ahead with
confidence.
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CORE VALUES OF YÜKSEL
Yüksel works to ensure that these six core values are applied throughout the company, in our offices and
construction sites, as well as in our business processes. These six values are as follows:
HONESTY AND INTEGRITY: Yüksel is truthful in all its endeavors. Yüksel is honest and forthright with one
another and with our customers, communities, and vendors. Yuksel says what it means, deliver what it
promises, fulfill its commitments, and stand for what is right. Yuksel treats its customers, communities, and
vendors in the way it would want to be treated.
RESPECT AND TRUST: Yüksel treats one another with dignity and fairness, appreciating the diversity of its
work force and the uniqueness of each employee. Yüksel builds confidence through teamwork and open,
candid communication. Yüksel genuinely care for each of its staff and their families.
RESPONSIBILITY: Yüksel takes responsibility for its actions. It speaks up, without fear of retribution, and
report concerns in the workplace, including violations of laws, regulations and company policies, and seek
clarification and guidance whenever there is doubt.
COMPLIANCE: Without exception, Yüksel complies with both the letter and spirit of all applicable laws,
rules and regulations.
CUSTOMERS: Yüksel values its customers by being adaptable, flexible, and responsive to their needswhile
delivering innovative services, solutions and technology in a quality manner. Fair dealing is the
foundationfor all of its transactions and interactions.
QUALITY: Quality is everyone’s business. Yüksel delivers all its services in a structured environment to
ensure customer satisfaction.
CITIZENSHIP: Yüksel obeys all laws of the countries in which it does business, and does it part to make the
communities in which it lives and works better. (Business Ethics Program, Article 1, August, 2009)
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HUMAN RESOURCES
Yüksel is committed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and respect these rights. It is aware of
the significance of integrating human rights issues into its daily business activities.
Yüksel holds the ISO 9001 Quality Management System, OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety Management
System and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certifications, which are managed and
supervised by the Management Systems Department with highly qualified and expert staff.
Yüksel has adopted the principle of ‘human rights’ and integrated it into business processes. It respects,
defends and commits to defend the rights and interests of its employees. It expects the same care from its
subcontractors and does not take into account any language, religion, race, gender, age, marital status,
sexual preferences or political view differences among its employees and strictly opposes any
discrimination based on these factors. All the employees working for Yüksel are free to make their own
personal choices.
Yüksel pays the utmost attention to human rights and focuses on this point in its regular publication to
raise awareness among its employees. In its Ethics Program, the company has clearly laid out the measures
taken to safeguard the basic rights of its employees. In addition, the Ethics Program Director has been
appointed to help and receive reports from the employees in event of potential damage to their basic
rights.
Within this system, the employees may call the free hot-line with their complaints. They may also use
electronic mail to report their complaints or even pay a visit to the Director to talk about their concerns.
These complaints may be submitted anonymously and if the name of the reporter is known, it is kept
strictly confidential. It is clearly specified that all reports will be thoroughly investigated and concluded and
that the company will not allow any harm to come to a Yüksel employee who submitted a complaint with
good intentions. Every complaint will be investigated and the relevant staff will be informed by the relevant
unit in due course.
Yüksel does not limit its human rights policies to offices and construction sites. It also strongly focuses on
training and education, which is considered as one of the most basic human right. Yüksel offers free
scholarships to elementary school students and under-graduate students, which is a rare practice in
Turkey. It also provides support to schools and students in underdeveloped regions of Turkey. In 2009, it
provided scholarships worth 127,550 TL to 33 students.
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INCREASE IN STUDENTS OFFERED SCHOLARSHIPS
INCREASE IN SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNTS
Yüksel believes that learning is a life-long achievement and not only offers scholarships to students but also
provides training to its employees. Yüksel is always open to professional and personal development
trainings and encourages its employees in this manner. In 2009, it has completed 3,132 man-hours of
training in line with the requests and needs of its employees. The Human Resources department hands out
Training Request Forms to its employees to determine their requests and needs. After these requests are
approved by their immediate superiors, the individuals receive the training they demand.
WORK STANDARDS
Organizing under a union is a constitutional right in the Republic of Turkey, and no one may prevent the
exercising of this right. Yüksel highly respects the union and collective negotiation rights of its employees.
In line with three-year contracts signed with the relevant union, employees’ salary raises and other rights
are set at the beginning of every year through negotiations.
Yüksel has never employed any one by force and strictly opposes all forms of forced and compulsory
labour. It is making every effort to prevent any such employment, both internally and outside the
company. Those who are employed by Yüksel are free to terminate employment at any time, in line with
the laws.
Yüksel is also very sensitive to issues concerning child labor. It strictly opposes the employment of children
and it has a principle not to do business with subcontractors that employ children or benefit from child
labor or that are who force children to work. Yüksel does not have any employees younger than 18, and
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ensures that its suppliers also obey the prohibitions regarding child labor. Yüksel argues that children must
be educated until at least 18 years of age and offers elementary school scholarships for children who are
not able to go to school due to financial problems. In 2009, it provided 73,800 TL in scholarships to 16
elementary school students.
Yüksel directly consults its employees to seek ways to increase their productivity. It is aware of the fact that
every department and every position has different conditions which leads to different needs. Therefore,
instead of standard practice, it conducted a survey; ‘How can we work more efficiently?’ among its
employees. Employees were free to submit their forms anonymously. Even if they chose to specify their
names, their names were kept strictly confidential. The data was collected by the HR and evaluated by the
HR department to take necessary action.
Team Spirit and Motivation
Yüksel pays great attention to the motivation and team spirit of its employees. Leveraging its 47 years of
experience, it encourages solidarity, harmony and respect among its employees and believes that the
company can advance only when these principles are followed. For this reason, Yüksel participates in
events that will improve team spirit and bonding among its employees. To this end, it attended the 2009
Corporate Games with a team of 31 employees. It rewarded the winning participants with a cocktail party
in order to encourage higher participation levels.
Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Program
Yüksel, being committed to protecting the safety, health and well being of all employees and individuals in
our workplace, have established a Drug Free Workplace Policy where Yüksel have a zero tolerance
regarding the distribution, dispensing, possession or use of drugs and alcohol on the job. Therefore, it is to
be considered as a violation of our drug-free workplace policy to use, possess, sell, trade, and/or offer for
sale alcohol, illegal drugs or intoxicants.
Yüksel recognizes that alcohol abuse and drug use pose a significant threat to our overall performance
goals. Therefore, Yüksel has established a drug-free workplace program that balances our respect for
individuals with the need to maintain an alcohol and drug-free environment.
Yüksel, also being committed to protecting the safety, health and well being of all employees and
individuals in its workplace, has established a drug-free workplace program that balances its respect for
individuals with the need to maintain an alcohol and drug-free environment (Work Ethics Book, Drug and
Alcohol-Free Workplace Program, Article 2, August 2, 2009).
Health and Safety
The health and safety of its employees have always been the top priority for Yüksel. The OHSAS 18001
Health and Safety Management System that Yüksel formed for this purpose was certified in 1999.
Yüksel has built its policies and targets around the Health and Safety Management System and made sure
that it is adopted and understood across the company by all staff members.
Yüksel is also operating in other countries as a contractor and is committed to:
- Working in line with the laws and legislation in all its workplaces,
-
Preparing a safe and healthy workplace with its management system,
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Preventing injuries and health problems,
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Offering necessary means and facilities to motivate its employees.
To attain a zero-fatality work accident target, Yüksel intends to:
- Control the potential risks in the workplace by applying the rules without any exceptions,
-
Raise awareness of all its employees and the relevant parties with trainings,
-
Continuously improve the Health and Safety System it has built,
-
Periodically review Health and Safety policy and announce it to its employees.
In all Yüksel construction sites, qualified health and safety staff are assigned. They ensure that activities are
carried out in line with the regulations and legislations, Health and Safety Management System, best
industrial practices and customer specifications, if any.
Yüksel carefully selects its suppliers and prefers those that hold Quality, Health and Safety and
Environmental Protection certificates.
Health and Safety Risk Assessments and Evaluations of Compliance with Legal Requirements are reviewed
every 4 months and necessary revisions and improvements are carried out.
Yüksel supports the professional development of its employees and ensures participation in various
trainings, meetings and events regarding health and safety.
There has been no significant change to Yüksel’s risk assessments and other conditions in 2009; however,
necessary slight modifications were completed in line with updated regulations and legislation and
compliance with regulations were ensured.
Sub-contractor contracts were reviewed and those sections concerning occupational health and safety
were improved.
In line with continuous improvement, A-class Safety Inspector was assigned to Yüksel Headquarters in
2009.
To meet qualified Health and Safety staff needs, employment contracts were completed with five
universities. It is planned that starting in 2010, the most accomplished graduates from Health and Safety
departments will be selected to work on Yüksel construction sites.
In 2009, 10,000 personnel were given 63,326 man-hours of training regarding occupational health and
safety (the Headquarters staff went to the construction sites to provide 17,123 man-hours of training to a
total of 317 people).
At Yüksel Headquarters, 22 personnel were provided 198 man-hours of first-aid training.
Overall, the average time of training offered to each individual in Yüksel Headquarters and construction
sites has been around 3.97 man-hour.
On all construction sites, A-certified Health and Safety Inspectors carried out 40 Health and Safety site
reviews.
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Furthermore, Bureau Veritas carried out operational controls in Kahramanmaraş Hacınınoğlu Regulator
HEPP and Murwani Dam in Saudi Arabia in April 2009. As a result, necessary corrective and preventive
actions were taken to remedy the non-compliant issues detected.
In 2009, there have not been any fatal and/or heavy injury accidents.
Equality
Yüksel opposes discrimination in recruitment and placement processes. It does not take into account
religion, language, race, age, gender, marital status, sexual preferences or political views of the employees
in its recruitment processes and applies a fair process as a company policy. Moreover, during the selection
process, each and every candidate has to go through a fair and equal selection process.
As an international company, Yüksel has many employees with different religious beliefs, languages, racial
backgrounds and personal preferences. In the selection of all these individuals with unique qualities, it has
taken into consideration their education, experience and performance levels. Tolerance, open-mindedness,
and respect for different views are part of that equality principle.
Another requirement of the equality principle is the Performance Evaluation carried out in Yüksel. The HR
Department takes all the necessary measures to ensure that Yüksel employees are subjected to fair
performance evaluations free from any personal judgment. The results of the performance evaluation are
sent to the HR Department which carefully examines them and rewards the high performers.
ENVIRONMENT
As a part of being a responsible member of the community, Yüksel is strongly committed to caring for the
environment. Yüksel expects all employees to be alert to environmental issues and share in the
commitment to conserve natural resources, reduce waste and conduct business in an environmentally
responsible manner (Ethics Program, Article 6, August 2009).
Yüksel, as it is specified in its Environmental Management System policy, commits to constant
development. Its target is to comply with customer specifications and communication between its
employees and suppliers. It also supports the Rio Declaration on environment and development.
With the projects currently underway, Yüksel is trying to minimize existing or potential environmental
effects by using environmental factor-impact analysis.
According to the employer contracts, technical specifications and the international standards, Yüksel
carries out reviews for its construction activities.
In 2009, an independent review organization and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) carried out
reviews at Kahramanmaraş Sarıgüzel Dam and HEPP and Hacınınoğu Regulator and HEPP projects on behalf
of the contracting authorities with 3-4 month periods. These reviews examined air quality, noise and
vibration, chemicals, waste water treatment and water quality, potable water supply, erosion control,
waste management, and ecology (forest, river hydrology, wild life management, etc.).
Also, to control compliance with ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standard, two internal
audits were conducted on those construction sites in May and October. The company TUVNORD conducted
re-certification review in July 2009 for Hacınınoğlu Regulator and HEPP project.
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As a result of these reviews, Yüksel took action to correct any non-compliant aspects and parts that could
be improved. In 2009, no major deficiencies were detected as a result of these reviews, and the facilities
were re-certified for ISO 14001 Environmental Management System for the next three years.
Yüksel continues to work to ensure that results are favorable in future periods as well.
Environmental Responsibilities
Yüksel is committed to sustainable development and traning its employees and suppliers in environmental
policies. For supplier selection process and performance evaluation, the approaches and experience of
companies with regard to the environment are rated and they are asked to participate in system activities.
Environmental targets for each individual year are measured and compared. Targets are set for training,
use of natural resources and forestation, and the relevant departments follow up on the realization rates.
Yüksel continues to apply ISO 14001: 2004 Environmental Management System at its headquarters and
construction sites. A ‘Waste Management Plan’ has been built for the headquarters and construction sites
and is being practiced. Recyclable wastes and dangerous wastes are collected separately from household
wastes and are delivered to licensed disposal companies.
To raise environmental awareness, Yüksel worked together with the Ministry of Forest and Environment
for its forestation activities for 2009 and built a memorial forest, within the Forest Area in Ankara İncek
area. Also, it donated 1,000 saplings to Tema Associations campaign to plant 10 billion oak seeds, within
the scope of its Kahramanmaraş Hacınınoğlu Regulator and HEPP project.
It holds trainings on environmental policy, waste management, and reviewer training to contribute to
building environmental awareness. The company decided to use professional consulting services to
calculate carbon, energy, waste and water values in the head offices of Yüksel Group.
The results of the 2009 environmental review showed that there were no major problems with Yüksel and
the company has not been fined for any non-compliance. No sanctions were imposed against the company.
(EN 28)
The total number of non-compliant incidents for volunteer operations rules is zero. (PR 4)
The training in 2009 (including those on environment) consisted of 4.75 man-hours in Libya FUP
construction site and 2 man-hours in Kahramanmaraş Hacınınoğlu Regulator and HEPPconstruction site.
In 2009, its service supplier performance evaluation was at 4.02 man-hours for Libya FUP construction site
and 3.52 man-hours for Kahramanmaraş Hacınınoğlu Regulator and HEPP construction site.
In addition to that, its performance as a material supplier in 2009 was at 3.38 man hour and 3.80 man-hour
respectively at Libya FUP construction and Kahramanmaraş Hacınınoğlu Regulator and HEPP construction
site. (Any > 4.00 score is considered very good.)
The number of significant incidents involving spilling of dangerous substances is zero (EN23).
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Use of Environmental-Friendly Technology
Yüksel is committed to complying with ISO 14001:2004 standards and the requirements of its customers
through its environmental policy. It is constantly researching the databank of its material suppliers and the
main product inputs it is using, and keeps up to date, on environment-friendly alternatives.
Some of the actions taken by Yüksel for this purpose are as follows:
*All the vehicles used in 2009 were controlled in terms of emissions.
*ERP operations are underway to ensure better communication and to minimize paper consumption.
*At Yüksel headquarters, in general restrooms and common areas, photocell water and lighting systems
are used to minimize the use of natural resources. Some of the data regarding the company headquarters
are as follows:
2007
Target
Realized
2008
Target
Realized
2009
Target Realized
Electricity consumption
1.5
(KW hour/man-hour/month)
1.5
1.6
1.75
1.7
1.6
Water consumption
(m3/man-hour/month)
0.06
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
Natural gas consumption
(m3/man-hour/month)
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.22
ANTI-CORRUPTION
Yüksel strictly opposes all kinds of corruption and will not compromise or tolerate any such behavior.
Yüksel employees are not allowed to act in violation of ethical business rules under any circumstances. To
ensure full compliance to this principle, professional and qualified consultants are employed by Yüksel who
specialize in Business Ethics and Business Conduct.
As clearly specified in the Ethics Program, internal reviews are carried out at least once a year, to review
compliance with Ethical and Business Management Rules. At the same time, Ethical Program Management
regularly sends extracts from the Ethics Program to Yüksel employees by email in order to increase
awareness.
Yüksel selects suppliers and wins customers on the basis of the merits of its people, products and services.
To avoid even the appearance of impropriety, there are substantial restrictions on the types of business
courtesies Yüksel employees may receive from or offer to firms and persons with whom they do business.
(Ethics Program, Article 4, August 2009). All these restrictions are clearly stated. The Ethical Program
Director carries out necessary inspections and reviews to ensure compliance with such restrictions. All
Yüksel employees are encouraged to report any existing or potential breach of a law, regulation or an
ethical rule to the Ethical Program Director.
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
In 2009, Yüksel again set an example for other companies with its Corporate Responsibility sense. It prides
itself on its leading projects in corporate social responsibility and is working to ensure that this
responsibility is shared by all employees across the company.
Yılmaz Sazak Memorial International Age Groups Athletics Meetings
The Yılmaz Sazak Memorial International Age Groups Athletics Meetings that has been held for the past 14
years draw competitors from all around the world. The meetings are open to age groups 12-13, 14-15, 1617 and adults groups for female and male. The first competitions were held in 1996 to encourage and
support young athletes. When athletes from neighboring countries were invited in 1999, it turned into an
international event and became one of the top three competitions in Europe for this age group. Over
1,500 athletes from every age group and from many countries and cultures take part in the meetings. They
set many national and international records. The budget for the meetings for the past 4 years is TL
694,742.20.
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Rising Stars
Yüksel İnşaat’s support for athletizm is not limited with Yılmaz Sazak Memorial International Age Groups
Athletics Meetings. Another corporate social responsibility project, the Rising Stars (YÜKSELen Yıldızlar)
Project, also supports young athletes. The national and international achievements of athletes in this
project, which kicked off in 2007, show how right Yüksel was in starting this project.
(Sabah Ankara-10.08.2009)
(Yeni Asır-04.11.2009)
(Fotospor-10.07.2009)
(Hürriyet Ankara-18.07.2010)
(Sabah Akdeniz-16.06.2010)
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Alaca Höyük Hitit Dam
Yüksel’s another successful corporate social responsibility project is the revival of the Alaca Höyük Hitit
Dam. The first excavations in Alaca Höyük started in 1935, on Atatürk’s orders, with the support of the
Turkish History Institute. The works were started under the leadership of Remzi Oğuz Arık, then one of the
lecturers in the Archeology Department of Ankara University’s Language, History and Geography
Department. After that, the Ministry of Culture took over and continued the research.
After Atatürk support and enthusiasm for the Alaca Höyük excavations faded and after 1983, no significant
scientific work was carried out on this important historical site. The Alaca Höyük ruins were included on a
list of ‘Council of Ministers-approved’ sites in 1997. Excavations were resumed in 2002, by a team led by
Prof. Dr. Aykut Çınaroğlu from Ankara University’s Archeology Department.
When Yüksel heard about this project, it was about to be stopped due to financial constraints. As a
company which constructs 21st century dams with state-of-the-art technologies and which represents our
country successfully in the international arena, Yüksel played its part to ensure that the oldest dam in
Anatolia becomes a part of life again and supported the project.
As a result of long-term operations to preserve this huge cultural heritage, Alacahöyük Hitit Dam,
Anatolia’s oldest known irrigation dam, began to operate again for the use of the locals for their irrigation
needs.
The excavations at the historic site revealed many important works of art. Some of these items are
displayed in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, while others are displayed in a museum opened at the
site, again with the support of Yüksel.
The final product of this important support, a book called “Atatürk and Alaca Höyük” includes important
and rarely known information regarding Atatürk and archeology. Yüksel is proud to be part of this
important work, which is a valuable archive for the cultural heritage of our country.
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Yüksel’s Big Support for Students
Yüksel sets an example to other companies with the great importance it attaches to education. It
demonstrates this commitment in every region where it operates. Within the scope of the Kahramanmaraş
Kandil Region Projects, Yüksel provided students with important supplies; snow boots, coats and gloves
were distributed to 520 students in 8 village schools (Beşen Köyü Kaletepe Elementary School, Cavağalar
Köyü Elementary School, Kalealtı Köyü Haluk Gökalp Kılınç Elementary School, Hacınınoğlu Elementary
School, Kahramanmaraş Ekinözü İlçesi Ataköy Elementary School, Kertmen Elementary School, Sarıgüzel
İkizce Elementary School and Hacınınoğlu Engizek Elementary School).
Yüksel’s support continued with school bags contains school supplies, for 200 students.
Always sensitive to social concerns, Yüksel allocated a total budget of 1,202,250 TL for the years 2007, 2008
and 2009 for corporate social responsibility projects.
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