Whistleblowing Policy

Speak up safely and confidentially

Purpose and Scope

ZINBLOCK FZE is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct. This Whistleblowing Policy provides a secure mechanism for employees, contractors, investors, and third parties to report suspected wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.

What Should Be Reported

You should report concerns about:

Financial Misconduct

  • • Fraud or theft
  • • Accounting irregularities
  • • Misuse of company funds
  • • False financial reporting

Regulatory Violations

  • • VARA compliance breaches
  • • AML/CFT violations
  • • Securities law breaches
  • • Data protection violations

Bribery & Corruption

  • • Bribery or kickbacks
  • • Conflicts of interest
  • • Misuse of position
  • • Facilitation payments

Other Serious Matters

  • • Safety violations
  • • Environmental breaches
  • • Discrimination or harassment
  • • Cybersecurity incidents

How to Report

Confidential Email

whistleblow@zinblock.com

Monitored by independent compliance team

Anonymous Hotline

+971 800 779726 (ext. 888)

Available 24/7, operated by third-party service

Secure Online Portal

whistleblow.zinblock.com

Encrypted submission with optional anonymity

Direct Contact

Chief Compliance Officer or Independent Board Member

For sensitive matters requiring personal discussion

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Your identity will be protected and kept confidential to the extent possible under law

You may submit reports anonymously through our secure channels

Access to reports is restricted to authorized personnel only

Your information will only be disclosed if required by law or for investigation purposes

Protection from Retaliation

ZINBLOCK strictly prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports concerns in good faith. Protected individuals will not face:

Dismissal or termination
Demotion or reduction in pay
Harassment or intimidation
Discrimination or exclusion

Important: Any employee found to have retaliated against a whistleblower will face disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Investigation Process

1

Receipt & Assessment

All reports are logged and assessed for severity within 48 hours.

2

Acknowledgment

If contact details provided, you'll receive acknowledgment and a unique reference number.

3

Investigation

Independent investigation conducted by qualified personnel or external experts.

4

Resolution & Reporting

Findings documented, appropriate action taken, and reporter updated (if not anonymous).

Good Faith Reporting

Reports must be made in good faith with reasonable belief that the information is accurate. Protection extends to reports that prove to be incorrect, provided they were made honestly.

Note: Deliberately false or malicious reports may result in disciplinary action and will not be protected under this policy.

Monitoring and Review

The Board of Directors receives quarterly reports on whistleblowing activity, including number of reports, categories, investigation outcomes, and any trends. This policy is reviewed annually and updated as needed.

External Reporting

You may also report concerns directly to external authorities:

VARA: complaints@vara.ae

UAE Central Bank: For financial regulatory matters

Dubai Police: For criminal matters

Ministry of Human Resources: For employment law violations

Your Voice Matters

Whistleblowing is an act of integrity that helps protect ZINBLOCK, our investors, and the broader financial system. We encourage you to speak up if you witness wrongdoing. Your courage in reporting concerns helps us maintain the highest ethical standards.

For questions about this Whistleblowing Policy, contact the Chief Compliance Officer at compliance@zinblock.com