Asia: EU, ILO begin project to improve corporate social responsibility in Asia

The EU, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have joined hands to launch the ‘Responsible Supply Chains in Asia’ project.

“The project aims to promote responsible supply chains in increasing corporate social responsibility/ responsible business conduct system with regards to decent work, environmental sustainability and respect for human rights,” Fredy Guayacan, the programme manager, told a seminar held in HCM City to introduce the project.

The project is based on the 2017 ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy and 2011 OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, he said.

“The project targets to increase understanding and knowledge of investors, businesses, civil society organisations and policy makers on CSR/RBC from the perspective of decent work. Its goals are to create a policy environment conducive to the promotion of socially responsible practices among businesses and increase opportunities for businesses to have a dialogue on good practices, challenges and opportunities in relation to CSR/RBC.”

To achieve the goals, the project has made recommendations in five areas for governments and enterprises.

“General policies should be fundamental principles and rights at work, due diligence and promotion of good corporate behaviour and consultations between home and host country governments. Employees should get promotion, social security and equality of opportunity and treatment and [there should be] no forced labour, no child labour.”

The project has been implemented in six Asian nations: Japan (electronics, vehicle parts), China (electronics, textiles), Myanmar (seafood, agriculture), the Philippines (agriculture/food), Thailand (agriculture, vehicle parts) and VietNam (wood processing, seafood, aquaculture, textiles).

Source: Vietnam News