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The UN Framework on Business and Human Rights: A Workers’ Rights Critique

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Abstract

The “Protect, Respect, Remedy” Framework along with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is the current global standard regarding corporate conduct. This article analyses the UN Framework from the vantage point of labour rights in India by looking at the garment supply chain. It argues that it can do little to induce states and businesses to bring substantive improvements to working conditions in a largely informal economy like India. Without the state performing its duty to protect human rights, the secondary responsibility of corporations can do very little in realising the rights of workers. Nonetheless, its tallest contribution is that it has given a platform for civil society to push for better conduct from all businesses and marks the beginning of a unified international business and human rights agenda.

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Notes

  1. http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/GDP-ranking-table (accessed on 30 April 2017).

  2. http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.DDAY?locations=IN&view=chart (accessed on 30 April 2017).

  3. http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.2DAY?locations=IN&view=chart (accessed on 30 April 2017).

  4. http://planningcommission.nic.in/data/datatable/data_2312/DatabookDec2014%202.pdf (accessed on 30 April 2017).

  5. http://planningcommission.nic.in/data/datatable/data_2312/DatabookDec2014%20116.pdf (accessed on 30 April 2017).

  6. Id.

  7. http://www.aepcindia.com (accessed on 17 April 2017).

  8. http://www.makeinindia.com/sector/textiles-and-garments (accessed on 23 May 2017).

  9. https://aepcdisha.wordpress.com/author/aepcdisha/ and http://search.standardsmap.org/assets/media/DishaCommonCodeofConductCCC/English/AtAGlance_EN.pdf (accessed on 4th September 2016).

  10. The scheme had bonded labour like conditions where employers unilaterally held back a part of the workers’ wages until three or more years of work have been completed, after which they were given a small lump sum. Human rights violations were rampant in this type of employment—employers severely restricted workers’ freedom of movement and privacy; work was in unsafe and unhealthy circumstances; widespread instances of sexual and verbal abuse; forced and excessive working hours; and non-payment of wages (SOMO and ICN 2011).

  11. http://www.responsiblebiz.org/irbf_index/ (accessed on 22 May 2017).

  12. http://www.ethicaltrade.org/programmes/women-millworkers-in-tamil-nadu (accessed on 22 May 2017).

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Acknowledgements

The author is truly grateful to the reviewers and editors of the journal for their insights on earlier drafts of the article and to Mr. Gopinath Parakuni and Dr. Jean Jenkins for providing their comments.

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    Rashmi Venkatesan

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Venkatesan, R. The UN Framework on Business and Human Rights: A Workers’ Rights Critique. J Bus Ethics 157, 635–652 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-017-3664-6

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