  Researchers observed fire-arms being carried by NSAGs present during roll-out in ceasefire areas. While researchers neither observed not heard reports of shots being fired, the presence of fire-arms is a risk. Researchers also received reports from workers that they were aware that landmines may have been sowed in the past, with land mines around infrastructure in conflict areas. This led workers to avoid walking through certain areas. The measures companies took to protect their workers in such circumstances were unclear. Business Relationships Human Rights Implicated: Right to just and favourable conditions of work Field Assessment Findings  Tower company acknowledgement and action concerning their responsibility  for the safety of workers was uneven. • Some tower companies indicated worker safety was the responsibility of their subcontractors alone. They did not provide any safety guidelines or training to subcontractor managers or workers, did not regularly monitor site safety or track incidents. • Others undertook subcontractor skills-based and safety training and regular site monitoring to ensure safety standards were upheld and practices corrected. • Of those tower companies who had systems in place for incident reporting and raising issues to more senior levels of the company depending on the severity of the incident, it was reported that labour subcontractors may fear reporting incidents for fear of reprisal or lost business. Choosing to operate without contracts between tower companies and their subcontractors was a common occurrence. This indicates the more rigorous control of working conditions by telecoms operators is not consistently carried through to business partners by contractual conditions committing sub-contractors to meeting business partners’ standards. Myanmar Good Practice Examples:  Some subcontractors ensured PPE was provided to their workers and used,    provided emergency first aid kits and fire extinguishers, and paid workers��� medical bills where incidents arose, despite not receiving safety guidelines or training from tower companies or telecoms operators. A small number of fibre cable digging companies provided workers with digging equipment, PPE and tents and supplies for accommodation without charge. One company has reported it has a zero tolerance policy for employment discrimination, and child and forced labour, stating health and safety and a living wage are key considerations. 468 One company has reported that its Myanmar operations are governed by a Code of Conduct and Code of Business Ethics, covering land, labour, health and safety, the environment, anti-discrimination, and privacy/freedom of expression. It conducted a 468 See further: Apollo Towers Myanmar, "Response by Apollo Towers: Myanmar Foreign Investment Tracking Project", Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (last accessed September 2015). CHAPTER 4.6: LABOUR 201 4 4.6