Akademiska Hus invests approximately SEK 2.5-3 billion annually in new constructions, renovations and extensions to develop attractive knowledge environments and campus areas around the country. The company places strict demands on its suppliers and contractors to ensure economic, ecological, social and cultural sustainability throughout the construction process. To further intensify this work, Akademiska Hus is now joining Fair Construction - a non-profit association that creates opportunities for developers and other active organizations in the construction industry to collaborate on issues related to cheating and crime on the construction site.
"As one of Sweden's largest real estate companies, we have great opportunities to influence the construction industry for the better. We look forward to working with Fair Construction to ensure that our projects meet high standards of social responsibility and a sustainable construction site," says Ali Ranji, Project Director at Akademiska Hus.
Safe, right and proper
Akademiska Hus has high goals when it comes to sustainability, which also includes social sustainability. This means, among other things, creating opportunities for healthy competition and secure working conditions for contractors as well as subcontractors. By joining Fair Construction, Akademiska Hus sends a clear signal that what happens on the construction site must be safe, right and proper.
"Counteracting cheating and crime on the construction site is nothing new for us at Akademiska Hus. But development and the labour market are constantly changing, and now we have even better opportunities through the Fair Construction working model to be able to influence the work on our construction sites in a positive way," says Ali Ranji.
Special working model
The working model that Fair Construction has developed includes requirements for procurement, control and review of the entire chain of subcontractors, unannounced workplace inspections with follow-up and deviation management in the event of breach of contract and violation of the law, as well as support in the form of training and advocacy work. The goal of Fair Construction is that all contractors and their subcontractors work seriously and comply with laws and agreements.
"We are pleased that Akademiska Hus is finally becoming a member of our company. They are known for their thorough approach and have always been at the forefront of sustainability work, not least in the work environment. We have had a dialogue for several years and discussed everything from contract requirements to the association's statutes, so I have almost seen them as members all along, but now it is becoming a reality," says Morgan Jansson, CEO of Fair Construction.