The Reporting and Complaints Mechanism can be used to report alleged or anticipated breaches of the SIFEM’s Policies.
The Reporting and Complaints Mechanism can be used to report alleged or anticipated breaches of the SIFEM’s Policies.
SIFEM – the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets – is committed to integrity, transparency, and responsible investment. We recognise that individuals and communities affected by our activities or those of our investee companies must have an avenue to raise concerns in a timely and fair manner.
The SIFEM Grievance Mechanism allows any person, community, or external stakeholder to address problems related to SIFEM’s investments or investee companies. It is not a legal enforcement mechanism and does not limit or preclude any rights to legal recourse
Any person, community, or other external stakeholder that has been, or may be, adversely affected by a SIFEM investment or investee company may file a complaint.
SIFEM also requires each investee company to maintain its own grievance mechanism for employees and other stakeholders (for example, customers or local communities). Complainants are encouraged to first raise issues directly with the investee company whenever possible. If the issue remains unresolved or cannot be addressed at that level, it can be submitted to SIFEM through this channel.
Complaints may be submitted in English or in the local language of the complainant by email to:
Where possible, please provide a translation in English. If that is not feasible, SIFEM will arrange translation and respond in the language of the complainant where practicable.
To ensure a fair and effective review, please include the following details:
Name and contact information (unless you wish to remain anonymous)
Name of the project and/or investee company concerned
Description of the issue, including relevant facts and any supporting documentation
Date(s) of incident(s) or event(s) related to the complaint
Specific remedy sought (if applicable)
Any additional information you wish to provide
Anonymous complaints will also be reviewed to the best of SIFEM’s ability. However, providing contact details allows for direct communication and helps prevent misuse of the mechanism.
All personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable data-protection laws.
All complaints are reviewed by SIFEM’s Complaint Committee, which includes:
Team Lead Portfolio Manager, SIFEM
CFO SIFEM
ESG & Impact Lead SIFEM
Head of Legal (Investments Equity)
Chair of the Board of Directors of SIFEM
Acknowledgement:
SIFEM will confirm receipt of a complaint within five (5) business days. At the same time, the complaint will be shared with the Chair of the Board of Directors and the Chair of the Audit Committee of SIFEM.
Assessment:
The Complaint Committee will determine whether the issue is legitimate and falls within SIFEM’s scope (i.e., directly or indirectly linked to SIFEM or its investees). Complaints will not be dismissed unless clearly unfounded. SIFEM will aim to respond to the complainant in writing within 30 business days.
Investigation:
If the complaint is deemed legitimate, the Committee will assess the matter to fully understand the issues and impacts. Depending on the complexity, the Committee may:
Escalate the issue to the relevant internal bodies of SIFEM
Engage external experts for further investigation or mediation
Establish a timeframe for resolution depending on severity, parties involved, and whether negotiation or mediation is required
Corrective Actions & Outcomes:
Following the investigation, the Committee will issue a report with recommendations for corrective actions such as:
Policy or procedural improvements
Remediation measures
Training or capacity-building initiatives
The report will be presented to the SIFEM Board of Directors, and may be escalated to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) as SIFEM’s shareholder representative if deemed appropriate.
SIFEM will communicate the outcome to the complainant. The complainant may accept or reject the outcome, and this will be formally logged.
SIFEM is committed to protecting the identity of all complainants and will not disclose personal information to third parties unless required by law or explicitly authorised in writing by the complainant.
Retaliation or discrimination against any individual submitting a complaint in good faith is strictly prohibited.
