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Over the past 20 years, society’s expectations of business in this area have grown. Companies have grown uncertain about their role and where responsibility lies when governments do not fulfil their human rights obligations. A United Nations initiative is currently underway to clarify the boundaries between public and private accountabilities. We are participating in this process.
Since 2000, we have being using this diagram to help us define our human rights role:
1. Employees. Direct responsibility. Issues include labour rights and working conditions, for example, providing a safe and healthy workplace and avoiding discrimination.
2. Suppliers, contractors (including security personnel). Significant influence through screening, setting contract standards and providing training. Issues include: safety, respectful treatment of third-country nationals, local hiring.
3. Communities. Opportunity to support government efforts. Issues include: use of international standards when relocating people, creating local business opportunities through operations or social investment.
4. National governments. Opportunity to support government efforts by contributing to economic development, and encouraging transparency of revenues, for example through the EITI.
5. International efforts. Opportunity to help, for example by supporting international human rights declarations and voluntary initiatives, providing input on international codes, and developing tools to help businesses comply.