Yangon, 31 July 2025 – Many businesses struggle to define ethical standards for their operations. This is especially true for smaller enterprises that operate without the resources and knowledge that many large companies possess. Yet, in day-to-day work, employees often ask what is ethically acceptable and what is not, outlining the need for ethical guidance.
To fill this gap, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) brought together a group of local experts, business representatives and civil society organizations in Myanmar to develop a set of model tools that can serve as templates for companies seeking to raise their standards of ethical business.
The model tools cover two important areas:
- Model code of conduct and related model processes and tools for ethical conduct
- Model speak up policy and related flow chart and processes for the speak up policy
Article 12 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) encourages States Parties to promote the development of codes of conduct to safeguard the integrity of private enterprises. Codes of conduct are an essential tool that guides the company culture and employee behaviour.
A speak up policy is key to creating a workplace culture where employees feel safe to report unethical behaviour. This reduces the risk of corruption, and it supports the implementation of the code of conduct and the broader values of the company.
The model tools are now available to small enterprises in Myanmar and beyond.
Curious to learn more about business integrity? Try also our serious game “La Phet Yay Phoe”, developed in collaboration with business representatives and civil society organizations in Myanmar.
