Letters | Foxconn protests show inattention to worker rights can have disastrous results
- Readers discuss the need for business accountability on human rights, and urge Hong Kong to address long working hours
Our assessment of the performance of over 120 companies around the world – including Foxconn – shows that one in three are not identifying and assessing human rights risks across their operations and supply chain. As a result, they risk overlooking urgent issues like 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 that 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 business leaders must ensure that their company’s human 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.