Inattention to rights of workers can lead to disastrous results

If businesses fail to set a culture that respects workers’ rights, the results can be disastrous – as your report, “Violence erupts at Foxconn Zhengzhou plant as workers protest over benefits and Covid-19 controls” (November 23), highlights.

While business action on human rights has significantly improved in recent years, worrying gaps remain. The World Benchmarking Alliance’s latest research shows more than a third of major companies are failing on human rights due diligence. Our assessment of the performance of over 120 firms around the world – including Foxconn – shows one in three are not identifying and assessing human rights risks across their operations and supply chain. As a result, they risk overlooking issues such as unsafe conditions, discrimination, child labour and slavery.

With some global companies holding more power than entire countries, we must increase business accountability on human rights. Our research found business leader involvement is key. Senior leader responsibility for driving progress is a common denominator in the companies that have improved most on human rights.

It is one thing to make a commitment to tackling human rights issues. It is quite another to address them in every area of a global business. As things stand, too many companies are taking a hands-off approach. All leaders must ensure their company’s rights pledges translate into real-world actions.

Governments must also stand up to protect their people against the potential violation of their human rights by businesses. There must be effective remedies for people who have suffered.

Namit Agarwal, social transformation lead, World Benchmarking Alliance