Integrated Gas Company SAOC (IGC or the Company) is consistent in its approach towards achieving full legal compliance within its business practices and to assure a controlled environment of business operations, resting on a solid base of a compliance and governance framework.
In today's corporate landscape, ethical business practices, transparency, and accountability are fundamental to maintaining stakeholder trust and ensuring regulatory compliance. A whistleblowing policy serves as a critical tool for organizations, including IGC as a gas aggregator operating as an entity at the national level, to identify and address misconduct, fraud, corruption, and other unethical behaviours that may impact the organization’s reputation ultimately leading to an impact on the nation.
Given the strategic role of IGC in managing the supply and distribution of natural gas in collaboration with government entities, energy producers, sectors and industrial consumers, maintaining the highest standards of governance is essential. IGC is committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance. Any failure to detect and mitigate wrongdoing can lead to financial losses, legal consequences, reputational damage, and risks to the national energy security of Oman.
A whistleblowing policy empowers employees, contractors, and external stakeholders to report concerns in a safe and confidential manner, ensuring that issues are investigated promptly and appropriately. This policy also reinforces a culture of transparency and integrity, strengthens compliance with Omani laws and regulations, and provides protection against retaliation for those who come forward in good faith to protect the organization.
By implementing a robust whistleblowing framework IGC demonstrates a commitment to ethical business conduct, regulatory compliance, and corporate responsibility, ultimately fostering a more transparent and resilient organization. This document is to be read in conjunction with other relevant reference documents within IGC.
Whistleblowers can report concerns through the following channels:
All reports should include relevant details such as:
The Legal Counsel shall ensure that all reports received are treated with confidence and receive equal treatment in terms of prioritization, until it is clear which level of criticality it falls within in the escalation matrix.
Depending on the scale and criticality of the incident/event reported, the escalation matrix will be followed to ensure the situation is contained in the best approach, and the right stakeholders are aware of the mitigation measures required to quickly address the issue before it escalates to an even bigger and more complex issue with a high severity and consequence for IGC.
For additional information, please visit the link below or contact the IGC team at whistleblowing@igcoman.om.
Whistleblowing is the act of reporting suspected misconduct, illegal activities, or violations of laws and regulations within an organization. This includes issues like corruption, fraud, bribery, financial mismanagement, and breaches of health, safety, and environmental laws. In Oman, it's encouraged to promote integrity and transparency.
Whistleblowing involves reporting issues that impact the public or the organization, such as corruption. A complaint typically involves personal workplace grievances, such as salary disputes or unfair treatment.
Whistleblower reports are handled with strict confidentiality under Omani law. Whistleblowers can report anonymously; however, providing contact details may help facilitate a thorough investigation.
There is no fixed legal deadline for reporting concerns, but it is advisable to report as soon as possible, as delays could make investigations more difficult.
The report will be assessed to determine if an investigation is warranted. If necessary, a formal investigation will be initiated. Authorities may request additional information. If misconduct is confirmed, appropriate legal or disciplinary action will be taken.
Whistleblowers can provide additional information if needed, but participation is voluntary, and protections remain in place regardless of involvement in the investigation.
Whistleblowers may receive general updates on the investigation's progress and final outcome, but specific details might be restricted due to confidentiality laws and internal policies.
To maintain confidentiality and protect the integrity of the investigation, whistleblowers should not discuss the case with colleagues, friends, or external parties. Disclosure may compromise the investigation and could have legal implications.
If an investigation does not substantiate the allegations, the whistleblower will not face any consequences, provided the report was made in good faith. However, knowingly making false accusations may lead to legal or disciplinary action.
Omani labor laws and anti- corruption regulations prohibit retaliation against whistleblowers. If a whistleblower faces adverse actions because of their report, they should report the retaliation immediately to the relevant authorities.
Retaliation includes any adverse action taken against a whistleblower, such as dismissal, demotion, harassment, negative performance reviews, or exclusion from opportunities.
To file a retaliation complaint, the whistleblower must provide proof that they reported a valid concern in good faith, evidence of retaliatory action, and a clear link between their report and the adverse action.