Conference focus on business humanity
Global campaigners will converge on Wellington and Auckland next month for the first ever forum discussing the role of human rights in business.
New Zealand’s Human Rights Commission and United Nations business organisation, Shift, is hosting the three-day conference starting on August 9, in a bid to advise Kiwi businesses on how they can avoid human rights abuses in their everyday activities and trading.
Human rights in business means being able to assess the impact of activity on workers, business partners, indigenous peoples, suppliers, contractors and customers, among others. It also
We hope it will get more firms thinking about the impact of human rights on business Dr Jackie Blue
involves compliance with codes of good practice.
Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Dr Jackie Blue, said the forum would be a good way to help businesses understand why respecting human rights is important, and give them the tools to start making changes if necessary.
‘‘Many don’t know that human rights abuses are happening in our own backyard, with cases of exploitation in the likes of the hospitality, horticulture, viniculture and dairy industries,’’ she said.
‘‘These sorts of violations pose a huge reputational risk to businesses and the economy.
‘‘Progress is about knowing how to assess they are doing right by every person in their supply chain, and within their own businesses.’’
She said many firms throughout New Zealand were already taking positive action.
‘‘We hope it will get more firm thinking about how being more aware can boost their firms’ reputations and their bottom line. Research shows that discerning customers will buy in to goods and services where firms can show they are doing the right thing.’’