Industry superannuation fund REST has joined the Investors Against Slavery and Trafficking (IAST) APAC coalition in an effort to strengthen its commitment to responsible investing.
The IAST urges companies to pursue action to combat modern slavery, human trafficking and labour exploitation in its supply chains.
REST and 32 other institutional investors and super funds in Asia Pacific signed up to the coalition.
REST chief investment officer, Andrew Lill, said: “Organisations of our scale and reach must proactively take steps that can reduce modern slavery and trafficking. We believe that being a responsible investor is critical to providing long-term returns to our members. What’s more, our members have told us they expect us to invest responsibly.
“Addressing potential modern slavery exposures in your investments, operations and supply chain, and engaging with businesses to ensure they’re also taking similar action, is a core component of being a responsible investor.”
The fund, which had $60 billion in assets, had also developed a modern slavery action plan and supplier code of conduct, and would be publishing efforts undertaken by the fund in this regard in the 2019/20 financial year.
This included reviewing potential exposures within the REST investment portfolio including any risks associated with investment managers.
A ratings firm has placed more prominence on governance in its fund ratings, highlighting that it’s not just about how much money a fund makes today, but whether the people running it are trustworthy, disciplined, and able to deliver for members in the future.
AMP has reached an agreement in principle to settle a landmark class action over fees charged to members of its superannuation funds, with $120 million earmarked for affected members.
Australia’s second-largest super fund is prioritising impact investing with a $2 billion commitment, targeting assets that deliver a combination of financial, social, and environmental outcomes.
The super fund has significantly grown its membership following the inclusion of Zurich’s OneCare Super policyholders.