International Workers Day: Human Rights and Corporate Accountability

“The day commemorates past labour struggles against a host of workers’

rights violations, including lengthy workdays and weeks, poor conditions and
child labour.”

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA, NEWS AGENCIES

Businesses are an integral part of society, and thus have a responsibility to

uphold all relevant laws and human rights. In recent years, corporations
have recognised how poor human rights practices can harm a business’s
reputation and ultimately its finances. To tackle this, businesses are
implementing due diligence and human rights commitments to mitigate
these risks.

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is

the blueprint for integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
standards into the human rights protection frameworks of businesses. The
Principles emphasize the corporate responsibility to uphold human rights
and stand as the foremost authoritative guideline for promoting ethical
business practices and tackling human rights violations in both business
operations and global supply chains.

At a national level, the Government aims to prioritise human rights in the

workplace through initiatives such as the Decent Work Country Programme
for Botswana (2020 – 2024). This program aims to create opportunities for
Batswana, attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) while also promoting
equitable opportunities for Batswana to secure productive and dignified
work.

Further, the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) took a significant step in 2018
by publishing a Guide for Listed Companies on Reporting ESG Information
to Investors. Collaborating with the United Nations Development Program
(UNDP), the BSE outlines ESG practices among listed companies, providing
guidelines to enhance consistency and depth in corporate sustainability
reporting. The BSE Guide for Listed Companies on Reporting ESG
Information to Investors is important in enhancing respect for human rights
by encouraging listed countries to report on human rights practices in their
ESG disclosures.

Although we have come a long way, there is still a long way to go. ESG
reporting frameworks and initiatives have been criticised for not adequately
recognizing harm to individuals and the consequent risks to businesses.
Moreover, there's a contention that ESG frameworks tend to overlook
significant human rights abuses and fail to address them effectively. In light
of the foregoing, it is crucial to integrate human rights disclosures into ESG
reporting frameworks and initiatives in a manner which adequately
addresses the human rights violations experienced by workers in the
workplace and also in a manner that promotes sustainability and
transformation in the workplace.

Happy International Workers Day!

Article by: Refilwe G Dingake

If you have interest in an in-depth discussion on this subject matter or any

ESG and Governance issues, feel free to contact us at
info@gobhozalegalpractice.co.bw

Tel: 3116371

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be taken as a
legal advice.