|
|
 |
|
Responsible Business
|
|
Many global companies contend with the challenges of doing business in countries and regions where workplace standards or respect for human rights may be severely lacking. Because of our strong working relationship with the United Nations, the International Labor Organization and other international bodies, USCIB serves as a forum to press for improved state governance, as well as a resource for firms seeking to improve their corporate responsibility programs and related efforts.
Better Work Program
USCIB has actively lined up company support for the Better Work Program, a unique joint program of the ILO and the International Finance Corporation, the private-sector lending arm of the World Bank.
|
Child labor in Pakistan (Photo: ILO)
|
|
In 2009 alone, five companies – Gap Inc., Levi Strauss & Co., Nike, Walmart and The Walt Disney Company – collectively pledged to contribute more than $1 million to the effort. Better Work brings together governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and global companies to address working conditions in supplier factories. The program assesses compliance with international labor standards and national labor law, makes reports available online and provides targeted remedial training to improve an individual operation’s compliance and competitiveness.
|
Business and Human Rights
In February 2009, The Coca-Cola Company hosted an international business forum on “Engaging Business – Addressing Child Labor,” organized by the International Organization of Employers, USCIB, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the ILO. Child labor experts, business leaders and others discussed the growing business risks resulting from child labor in supply chains, and how business can strengthen efforts to address child labor. A similar forum in February 2010 aimed to help business leaders better understand the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, and showcase the systems companies are developing to demonstrate their respect for human rights.
|
Brent Wilton of the International
Organization of Employers and USCIB’s Ronnie Goldberg at the Atlanta forum on child labor.
|
|
