This session provided an international perspective on human rights in business. Luke Wilde discussed how human rights abuses can occur across all sectors through both direct company activities and business relationships. He highlighted recent global cases of violations and argued that companies have a responsibility as responsible citizens to respect and ensure due diligence on human rights. Rishi Sher Singh then presented a case study on a Human Rights Impact Assessment conducted for a pharmaceutical MNC in India. The assessment aimed to identify gaps between policy and practice, build stakeholder capacity, and highlight sustainability initiatives using an integrated approach. Both speakers emphasized the need for companies to assess and address human rights impacts through their entire value chains.

1. An Outcome Report
Supported by :
JINDAL STAINLESS LIMITED

2. GlobalHunt Foundation (GHF) is primarily a CSR research and
consulting organization, it has been established as a section 25
not for profit company registered under the Indian Companies
Act, 1956. As a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact
(UNGC), GHF serves as a knowledge catalyst and engages its
vast corporate clientele with diverse multi-stakeholders to
enhance their Corporate Sustainable Responsibility (CSR), GHF
provides key services on research, reporting programme
designing, advisory, training and due diligence for its pan India
clients comprising of leading corporate, civil society
organizations, government institutions and academia.
This publication has been prepared by the GlobalHunt Foundation
comprising a team of researchers and consultants.The publication
showcases the outcome of the proceedings of the recently concluded
meeting.The meeting was conducted in partnership with leading corporates
and entails the sharing and learning of their best case practices for
knowledge dissemination purposes only, GlobalHunt Foundation does not
endorse any individual/ company/or companies mentioned in the report.The
material in this publication may be quoted and referenced with proper
attribution.
About GlobalHunt Foundation (GHF)
Email: corporate@globalhuntfoundation.org
Website: www.globalhuntfoundation.org
Disclaimer:
Program Supported by :
Jindal Stainless Limited
Copyright@2015
GlobalHunt Foundation
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3. Table of
Executive Summary
Welcome Address
Session I
4
6-7
8-9Outcomes of India CEO Forum on Business
& Human Rights 2012 – 2014
Session II
10-11Business of Human Rights in the Disability Sector
Session III
12-13
14-15
Participants Perspectives 16-17
Conclusion 18
Annexure - I 19
Annexure - II 20-22
An International Perspective of Human Rights in
the Business
Session IV
Current Scenario on Land Acquisition - Business
& HR Perspective

4. Executive Summary
Director
GlobalHunt Foundation
Sunil Goel
Businesses work in a complex value chain despite having strong
commitments and adherence to human rights; intricate supply chain,
community interests and consumer awareness have made businesses
vulnerable to human rights violations. Their economic performance is duly
measured by their adherence to social rights of the local community,
environment and workforce. Hence, in the current scenario it has become
imperative for companies to understand the human rights issues that
surrounds their operations and to develop effective mechanisms to combat
the same.
One of the primary concerns which a company has to address within its operation space is to recognize human
rights issues both at an external and at an internal level and how these issues can be embedded within its
operations. In today’s world a company is not expected to understand the human rights concerns of its
surrounding environment but it needs to map the concern of the suppliers, manufacturers, labour, community
and consumers placed within its supply chain framework. With the involvement of diverse internal and external
stakeholders it is imperative for companies especially working in a globalised scenario to direct their attention
towards enhancing their understanding on developing an ethical human rights value chain and how issues
pertaining to human rights violations needs to be addressed with a sustainable outlook in mind.
One of the elemental initiation to bring the Human Rights Agenda at the forefront is to leverage cross learnings,
sharing of perspectives, good practices, policies and dialogues among diverse stakeholders and especially
among corporate leaders. The learnings from the companies who have managed to successfully create a
positive impact in the realm of human rights are significant for others aiming to replicate and implement
human rights issues within their own respective spheres. There is a need to bring together stakeholders,
experts,researchers,senior business leaders,civil society organizations,UN agencies on one neutral platform,so
that a universal dialogue on human rights issues within global and national contexts is established.
This is extremely essential and it is in this regard that the Strategic Alliance on Business and Human Rights was
initiated by Jindal Stainless Limited through a curtain raiser meeting held on 27th March, 2015 Friday at JSL
corporate office, New Delhi.The Alliance witnessed the participation of key leaders from corproates, civil society
organizations and academic institution such as Jindal SAW, Coca Cola India, Lemon Tree Hotels, GMR, Wave
Infratech, Hero MotoCorp, Paharpur Business Centre, GAIL, LexisNexis, Udyama and University of Toronto. The
prime objective of the Alliance was to commence a meaningful dialogue among participating organization in
respect of how they perceive human rights within their operation, what are the practices absorbed and most
important what are the policy and programs mechanisms introduced to mitigate violations.
I would like to extend my gratitude to Big Rajiv Williams, CSR Head, Jindal Stainless Limited for supporting the
Strategic Alliance meeting, Mr. Luke Wilde, Director twentyfifty UK and Mr. Rishi Sher Singh, Director India,
twentyfifty UK for providing their intellectual expertise on the subject. Also a special thanks to all the
participants for supporting the initiative and for providing their valuable viewpoints and sharing their
experiences on the issue. I look forward for companies and organizations to further enhance the alliance
through convening regular meetings and to take lead towards knowledge dissemination in the realm of human
rights.
4

6. Welcome Address
Brig Rajiv Williams
Head CSR
Jindal Stainless Limited
6

7. Brig. Rajiv Williams initiated his deliberation by introducing the participants to the overall objectives of the
meeting. The curtain raiser meeting was strategically structured to intelligibly generate awareness on
human rights concatenated with business operations and the principles guiding business actions. The
perspectives of the participants will enable the collation and sharing of wide business cases by the
corporates with respect to human rights.
The agenda of the meeting was outlined with an aim to enlighten the participants with key learnings,
knowledge sharing and open discussions on the recent issues pertaining to risk, impact assessment and due
diligence processes. The agenda of human rights around the globe has emerged as a very crucial issue
bearing social, cultural, political and economical connotations. Moreover, with the final framing of the Post
2015 Sustainability Agenda and the simultaneous implementation of the CSR Clause 135 of the New
Companies Act, Human Rights issues have been placed with utmost significance.
Therefore, embedding human rights within a company’s policy is a challenge as with compliance, preventive
measures for mitigating risks and remediation towards violations are required. In order to assist companies
in building these measures the UN Guiding Principles of “Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework” were
formulated. The UN Human Rights Council endorsed the "Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights:
Implementing the United Nations 'Protect, Respect and Remedy' Framework" on 16 June 2011, proposed by UN
Special Representative of the Secretary-General.
These Guiding Principles apply to all States and to all business enterprises, regardless of their size, sector,
location, ownership and structure. In the Indian context, the emergence of Schedule VII of The New
Companies Act, 2013 has incorporated areas that are relevant to any human rights issue. With the
legitimization of issues concerning labour, land, women empowerment, child rights, disability, supply chain,
indigenous rights, sanitation there has been a direct call for action from diverse stakeholders in the society.
He further stated that land is a very potential tool of communication between companies and community.
An R&R policy of a company is required to seek a dialogue between the diverse stakeholders who will bear
an affect or in turn will be affected by its implementation and thus effective dialogue is essential to strive
a balanced relationship. Therefore, a two way channel of communication with respect to address the human
rights issues should be generated wherein companies would be required to know – what, why and how to
address.
While concluding his remarks, he stated that the alliance will mark the initiation of a peer learning Human
Rights Group which will convene to discuss and develop internal as well external system of commitments,
policies, operations and due diligence framework. The purpose is two folds firstly, to ensure cross learning
on the discourse of human rights and secondly, to encourage companies to collaborate on possible areas
under the human rights framework.
7

8. Outcomes of India CEO Forum on
Business & Human Rights2012-2014
SESSION ONE
Human & Workplace Director, Global Workplace Rights
Coca Cola India
Shubha Sekhar
8

9. Ms Shuba Sekhar set the tone for the strategic meeting where she convened the session by aligning the traces
of the current meeting with the significant India CEO Forum on Business & Human Rights 2012 – 2014. The
India CEO Forum on Business and Human Rights was an initiative to advance the human rights agenda within
business operations by engaging key leaders from leading companies. The purpose was to create a core
committee of CEOs committed to advance human rights principles within business contexts in India and thereby
to strengthen the relationship between corporations and the most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
The committed leaders of the respective companies were brought together to create, work and establish their
own set of good practices in India and these human rights norms would be in sync with the international
human rights practices. The overall objective of the consortium was to encourage leaders on the fact that by
establishing respective human rights policies,practices within their company’s framework they will guide others
to collaborate and take the agenda forward.
While elaborating on the objectives of the forum, she stated that safe environment for businesses with regards
to human rights will be achieved only through open discussions about challenges faced and experiences
gained. She further asserted that leadership capabilities and support of peer learning effectively enables
mapping the complexities of human rights and business. The CEO Forum on Business and Human Rights,
therefore was convened to encourage the consortium of companies to emerge with key solutions and
effectively proceeded to address these challenges being faced at the highest levels by the companies.
The two year flagship programme of India CEO Forum on Business and Human Rights was further advanced in
2014 through a follow up dialogue focused on Supply Chain and MSME Sector which was conducted in
partnership with British High Commission. The continuity of the series is now being further enhanced in 2015
in form of “The Strategic Alliance on Business and Human Rights”. The alliance has been very rightly convened as
there is a requisite to push forward the human rights agenda in lieu with the recent legislation of Section 135
CSR clause, but more so to guide companies to move beyond the purview of legal compliance. The existence of
already established international frameworks on human rights in form of UN Guiding Principles on Human
Rights act as effective and guiding tools for businesses to develop standards and to ensure that they are
complicit towards the protection of human rights.
While concluding her significant deliberation on the overall overview on the business and human rights issues,
Ms. Sekhar also explained some of the key initiatives undertaken by Coca Cola which showcases the company’s
commitment to the human rights principles. The program titled “Aim for Progress” since 2010, is one of the
flagship programs involving 30 leading FMCG companies and 7 sugar manufacturing companies and has been
working towards ensuring responsible supply chain both at the sourcing and manufacturing level.Also, in 2014
eight leading FMCG companies came together on one common platform to discuss the vision of compliance,
supply chain audits,that indicate issues concerning discrimination and forced labour.In her concluding remarks,
she asserted that it is only when companies will internalize human rights principles within their internal
operations and procedures only then they will be able to achieve zero percent tolerance towards any form of
violations.
9

10. Business of Human Rights
in the Disability Sector
SESSION TWO
Sr. General Manager Group Corporate Communications, Jindal SAW Ltd
Director, Svayam-An Initiative of SJ Charitable Trust
Ms Abha Negi
10

11. In her session, Ms Abha Negi drew the attention of the participants to the issue of disability as one of the most
significant yet overlook areas within the human rights debate.She stated that over 600 million people,have one
or another form of disability and two thirds of them live in developing countries. There exists a wide gap
between accessibility, social inclusion and comprehensive research analysis in the disability sector as the
number of people affected with disability in real terms is much more huge than being presented in any
published reports and statistics by revelant authorities.
To address these issues Jindal Saw through its CSR initiative Svayam conducted diverse audits across pan India
with respect to public spaces, infrastructures, services such as transport, toilets, public sites such as monuments,
banks and educational institutes. The outcome of their initial audit made the organziation observe that a wide
gap exists in providing ease of access on public spaces and utilities to the differently abled and ageing
population.
Hence, to address the equality of access and opportunity as one of the prime human rights concerns, Svayam
initiated innovative programmes, to facilitate accessibility in infrastructure and in mobility by creating barrier
free structures, improvising existing ramps, cleaned and made key public spaces accessible such as office, tourist
destinations,hospitality industry,world heritage sites and so on.The overall objective of the program is to bring
empowerment to people with disabilities while working with diverse stakeholders to achieve dignity for people
with reduced mobility.
She stated that since the number of differently abled is extremely high and will continue to increase in the
developing countries,therefore companies as key stakeholders need to integrate the differently abled within the
operational spheres, so as to provide them with economic independence and alleviate them from poverty.
Through, the ARUNIM initiative, the differently abled are provided with educational support but one of the key
highlights of the initiative is that they are also provided with key entrepreneurial and skill enhancement
training so as to integrate them into the mainstream workforce at the macro level, in the overall economic
growth.
The company is involved in developing and building competencies as per the industrial and entrepreneurial
skills requirement. ARUNIM in partnership with 270 NGOs across the country is reaching out to the section of
differently abled and through skill developing partners is transiting the specially abled from rehab stage to
enterprise stage.By linking them to the job market through a job portal ARUNIM has been successful in mapping
the untapped human resource. She concluded by stating that disability is a human right issue that has often
ignored at management level within companies despite having work policies for them.
Therefore, it is imperative that the issue becomes one of the key areas where from management, managerial
personnel and lastly workforce are sensitized so as to ensure user -friendly infrastructure,economic support and
a positive environment. Moreover, advocacy formulation at national and international forums, knowledge
partnerships, policies, standards and guidelines with multi-lateral agencies should bring the issues of both the
ageing and differenlty abled populations of the country at the forefront and develop innovative sustainable
mechanisms for their overall integration with the mainstream population.
11

12. An International Perspective of
Human Rights in the Business
SESSION THREE
Chief Executive
twentyfifty UK
Luke Wilde
Director
twentyfifty UK
Rishi Sher Singh
12

13. Presenting the international perceptive on human
rights Mr. Luke Wilde, stated that there exists
instances of human rights abuse by companies
occur across all sectors. It becomes important to
assess adverse human rights impacts through
company’s own activities but also enables wide
comprehension of business relationships of the
company. He showcased the contemporary global
case studies on human rights violations with the
recent incidents of Rana Plaza, land corruption by
Khon Kaen Sugar etc and stated that Human Rights
is a global issue which, when violated creates an
impact in the entire chain of stakeholders.
Therefore, it becomes difficult to map whose
responsibility is human rights, whether it is of the
state, government, company or the multi-national
sourcing system. He asserted that the role of
companies was imperative because they were the
sources of these violations. Therefore companies as
state actor needs to realize, that as responsible
citizens, they are required not only to respect but
also act with due diligence to mitigate human rights
violations. Companies in order to effectively
mitigate and manage human rights issues should
move from “naming to shaming” towards “knowing
and sharing” where an entire system of due
diligence beginning from commitment, ongoing
assessments, integration of assessment results
within management structures, ongoing monitoring
& reporting and grievance redressal procedures
needs to be established and internalized within
operations.
He concluded by stating that companies today
should perceive human rights from the stakeholders
perspective to right holders perspective.Any form of
non compliance of human rights adversely impacts
the overall image, reputation, management,
operational, legal, and compensation
mismanagement.
Forwarding Luke’s viewpoint, in the Indian context, Mr
Rishi Sher Singh, presented his own experience
regarding the Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA)
in form of a case study of a pharmaceutical MNC
company which through its manufacturing unit in Goa,
Bangalore and Mumbai works in a complex value chain.
In December 2014, the HRIA of the company was
conducted in order to identify the gap between policy
and the implementation, build internal capacity of
stakeholders and highlight the sustainability initiatives.
An integrated approach of HRIA was adopted including
human rights “cause contribute and link approach”,
stakeholder consultation and a network of
collaborative communication. Through the findings of
the HRIA, Mr. Singh concluded that companies need to
resolve their apprehensions for stakeholder
engagement and engage itself with diverse forms of
trainings at all levels.
It is expected that stakeholder engagements will
generate an environment of pro active external
communication and will incorporate responsible
marketing to ensure effective human rights
management. He asserted that companies need to
assess and manage both internal and external human
rights issues and violations through effective
stakeholder engagements, dialogues, training and most
importantly knowledge sharing as these tools of
communication can assist companies to map business
influence beyond their sphere of influence in respect of
human rights and how issues pertaining to human
rights can be mitigated.
Towards the end, he drew out the following
observations based on the finding of the assessments.
He stated that companies should move beyond
reputation protection; by a thorough HR due diligence
process and shift from auditing to capacity building.
13

14. SESSION FOUR
Business & HR Perspective
Current Scenario on Land Acquisition-
Manager Corporate Sustainability
GlobalHunt Foundation
Radhika Ralhan
14

15. With a cross comparative analysis on the diverse cases of human rights violations in the global and within the
Indian contexts, Ms Radhika Ralhan commenced her session and accentuated the fact that we all are living at
present in risk societies. Human Rights issues have become far more complex with the current global, political
and economic developments, some of the issues are universal and some issues are particular placed in specific
contexts. While it is the duty of the state to respect, protect and fulfill the rights of its citizens through proper
legislation and upholding the rule of law. As business bear a sense of responsibility to act with due diligence
without infringing the rights of others. She emphasized on the fact that issues pertaining to governmentality
where business community tends to care about human rights compliances because the state in some cases is
unable and in some, unwilling to protect the human rights of the people. Showing concern towards human
rights enables companies to anticipate and mitigate the human rights risks and build its reputation among the
stake holders and society at large which in turn leads to favorable results for the company in the long run.
Therefore, this aspect of social sustainability dimensions needs to be aligned with the overall business
operations of a particular company.
The nexus between business, state and society is vividly reflected when we observe issues of land acquisition
which is indeed a people centric issue under the wider realm of human rights.As a sociologist with an objective
understanding, she addressed the participants that business as a legitimate non state actor encompasses
positive and negative connotations with respect to land rights, residing indigenous population and their
resettlement and rehabilitation. Land is a complex subject and involves the rights and claims of diverse state
and non state actors, moreover, there has been a genuine mistrust between the business and society which has
percolated into the land acquisition debate too. Before commencing on the issue of land acquisition, it is
significant to analyze the practices of acquiring land by businesses worldwide, she illustrated key case studies
from diverse countries bearing similar regional contextual nature as found in the peripheries of India. Through
the case studies the diverse practices and methods adopted by businesses to acquire land were observed and
where community emerged as one of the prime stakeholder with a right to voice in the entire process.
While placing the example of one of the most contested land acquisition cases in India, she stated that in India
the focus should be on the processes conducted pre and post land acquisition. It is often observed that the
misuse of legal clauses, regulatory mechanisms, timely and adequate compensation has paved way to the rise
in conflict in the aspiration of the business and community. Thus, enhancing the already established mistrust
between business and society, also the dereliction of one business in a particular area also affects the other
businesses sharing a positive intent. She stressed on the importance of concrete research and analysis on the
existing resettlement and rehabilitation policies and implementation in the already acquired areas.
She showcased the diverse interventions of the respective companies on the above areas and restated the fact
that comapanies need to view society as an equal stakeholder in the development process. They need to come
up with cross cutting innovative technologies, sustainable solutions and create an environment of trust where
through a democrative and effective channel of communication with clear intent and commitment of social
good will address and map the aspirations of all stakeholders.
15

16. Head, CSR
Wave Infratech
Manjir Ghosh
PerspectivesParticipants
Vice President Sustainability Initiatives
The Lemon Tree Hotel
Aradhana Lal
COO
Paharpur Business Centre
Shruti Guleri
Being in the hospitalit� and ser�ice sector, the company has adopted an
inclusive approach by providing job oppor��nities to the differently abled
under the prog�am “Oppor��nit� Disable Indians” (ODI). One of the major
challenge faced by us was to realig� and reframe the company’s policies
and as per the limitations of the people with disabilities.
Human Rights in the Indian contex� requires more collaborations. More and
more understanding as towhat is human rights in relation to business and how
companies can effectively utilize human rights as a potential tool for both social
andeconomicg�owthneedstobeimpar�ed.Crosssharingamongcompaniescan
ensure inclusion of policies and mechanisms to manage human rights conflicts
withinoperations.
Having operation in sugar, paper manufact�ring, breweries and distilling,
real estate and liquor dist�ibution the company has recog�ized that human
rights issues associated with each sector are complex and diversified. Hence
a common approach encompassing all the issues have been for�ulated and
implemented within the work sphere.
Head CSR
FICCI
Dr. K K Upadhyay
Human right issue among companies is diverse and this cannot be managed
in isolation. Hence a dialog�e engagement bet�een companies inter�al as
well ex�er�al stakeholders is initial. In this respect companies needs to build
effective tools of communication, established and created by par�icipation of
all stakeholders related and affected by the issue. The tool will assist in
channelizing the issues in a systematic order.
16

17. Head CSR for Delhi International Airport Pvt. Ltd
GMR
T.S. Unnikrishnan
Team Leader
Udyama
Pradip Mohopatra
Sr. Manager HRM
Hero Motocorp
Dr. Sujita Khemka
Human Rights violations during disasters is one of the key areas that still
requires attention. Resettlement of the displaced in ter�s of livelihood,
skill development, sanitation, water and biodiversit� management at
coastal areas is some of the key areas where lot of effor�s needs be
directed.
For the organization communit� initiatives are of prime impor�ance. Aſter
land acquisition, the major concer� that the company tackles is skill
development and livelihood oppor��nities for the displaced. The company’s
CSR policy incor�orates human rights as one of the cr�cial areas of
inter�entions.
Human rights issues at production site and supply chain are ver� cr�cial to
the company. Through several g�een and social initiatives the organization
has been able to keep a cont�ol of human rights issues both at production
and supply chain level.
Ex. Executive Director
GAIL
L.R. Gupta
The questions of what,why and how are imperative for any human right
issue. The global as well as national exemplar� cases can prove an
oppor��nit� for companies to effectively manage human rights violations.
Before initiating any HR related policy or prog�am a company needs to first
develop substantial knowledge on the subject through inter�al as well
ex�er�al peer lear�ings.
17

18. While concluding the meeting Brig. Rajiv Williams, Head CSR, Jindal Stainless Limited stated
that companies as responsible citizens of the state and society needs to utilize the profit
generated for the benefits of the community.By adopting sustainable approach a company can
effectively institutionalize human rights within its external and internal operations. Through
policy commitment, due diligence procedures, effective redressal mechanism public
dissemination and reporting of the due diligence outcomes are few but crucial steps which a
company needs to adopt for aligning human rights with business.
Business and Human Rights at present in the Indian context requires more of dialogue
initiation and knowledge sharing. As the understanding of the issue is surrounded by several
overlaying issues terms and concepts. Therefore, Business and Human Rights, at present,
should focus on case practices and emphasis on the overall transition of a company through
applying effective HR policy. By sharing of experiences and peer learnings a company build a
strong roadmap for effective human rights system.
Conclusion
18

19. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Annexure- I
S. No. Concerned Person
Abha Negi1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Aradhana Lal
Brig. Rajiv Williams
Dr. Sujita Khemka
Manish Kumar
L.R. Gupta
Mehak Kaushik
Manjir Ghosh
* The list is presented in alphabetically order.
Research Associate
Head-CSR
V.P- Sustainability
Head CSR
Sr Manager HRM
Commissioning Editor
(Legal and Regulatory)
Ex. Executive Director
Jindal Stainless Limited
Hero MotoCorp
Dragana Bodružić PhD Candidate University of Toronto
Luke Wilde Chief Executive twentyfifty UK
GAIL
Dr. K K Upadhyay Head CSR FICCI
GlobalHunt Foundation
Pradeep Mohopatra Team Leader Udyama
Radhika Ralhan Manager Corporate Sustainability GlobalHunt Foundation
Rishi Sher Singh Director twentyfifty UK
Shruti Guleri COO Paharpur Business Centre
Subhash Chandra Vashishth
Principal Consultant-
Sustainability & Liaison Jindal SAW
T.S. Unnikrishnan
Head CSR for
Delhi International Airport Pvt. Ltd
GMR
Veena Sharma Corporate Social Responsibility Jindal Stainless Limited
Shubha Sekhar
Human & Workplace Rights
Director Global Workplace Rights
Coca-Cola Company
Wave Infratech
LexisNexis India
The Lemon Tree Hotel
Sr. General Manager Group
Corporate Communications
Jindal SAW
Designation Company
19

20. On June17th 2011, the United Nations took an unprecedented step to endorse the Guiding Principles for
Business and Human Rights developed by the former UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights
(Professor John Ruggie).The Indian Government has been a strong supporter of the Business and Human Rights
agenda–hosting Professor Ruggie’s Asia Consultation in February 2009 and recently sponsoring a UN
Resolution progress the international agenda. A new UN Working Group has now been formed to focus on
implementation of the Guiding Principles.
Internationally, the Guiding Principles have already been incorporated into important responsible business
efforts such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the European Commission CSR strategy and
IS0 26000 (the most universally approved CSR standard alongside the Global Compact). Just before the UN
Guiding Principles were endorsed, 29 institutional investors with US 2.7 trillion under management supported
the principles and are now developing an Investors’ guide for Business and Human Rights.
From the Indian perspective, we are also seeing serious developments. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has
recently launched National Voluntary Guidelines for Responsible Business, in which Principle 5(of 9) guides
businesses to “respect and promote human rights” and makes explicit reference to the work of Prof. Ruggie and
the UN “Protect, Respect, Remedy” Framework.
Annexure- II
CEO BRIEFING ON BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
FIVE KEY MESSAGES
ONE
Expectations from policy makers, civil society and investors regarding corporate
impact on human rights are rapidly converging
Many major corporate now see the clear, long term business case for respecting human rights and knowing and
showing how they do so. This is often an accumulation of a range of factors including:
Pressure from Government-National governments can play a key role in encouraging businesses to act on
human rights. An increasing number of countries around the world have launched national initiatives on
corporate responsibility to encourage excellence among their own industries and through this encourage
responsible outward and inward investment.Companies not respecting human rights can have a negative effect
upon both home and host country reputation and can undermine their ability to trade freely.
Operational Risk–Social License to Operate-It is hard for any business to operate against the will of a local
population. While the permission of a national government is needed to trade, local authority permission or
community approval is also necessary even if not a legal requirement.A social license to operate is not a written
document, but without it a company may face anything from demonstrations outside its gates to a material loss
in trade.
Legal and Financial Risk- Although human rights law and its relationship to business is still evolving, it is
increasingly used in both criminal cases (against companies as well as individual employees) and civil cases
(such as compensation claims from workers or customers).The risk of being found guilty of not respecting
human rights or being complicit in an abuse perpetrated by others is now a reality in many parts of the world.
TWO
Business and human rights is a core business issue with costs for getting it
wrong, and benefits for getting it right
20

21. Human rights are the basic rights of each human being, independent of race, sex, religion, political opinion,
social status, or any other characteristics. Through internal human rights conventions, governments commit to
respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of their citizens. The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights is the foundational document for understanding human rights and is provided as an annex to this
document. Businesses should also be aware of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights the core conventions of the Internati onal
Labour Organization (ILO). In addition, a specific body of law applies in situations of armed conflicts
international humanitarian law.
Examples of internationally agreed human rights that companies can impact can be understood in two
categories as follows:
Labour Rights such as Freedom of association, Right to equal pay for equal work, Right to organize and
participate in collective bargaining, Right to non-discrimination, Right to just and favorable remuneration,
Abolition of slavery and forced labour, Right to a safe work environment, Right to rest and leisure, Right to work
and Right to family life.
Non-labour rights such as Right to life, liberty and security of the person, Right of peaceful assembly; Right to
an adequate standard of living (including food, clothing, and housing); Right to physical and mental health;
Access to medical services; Equal recognition and protection under the law; Freedomof thought, conscience and
religion; Right to education; Right to hold opinions, freedom of informaon and expression; Right to participate
in cultural life; Freedom of movement and Right to privacy.
Governments have a duty to Respect, Protect, Promote and Fulfil Human Rights. These terms are used in
connection with state obligations in accordance with the human rights instruments they have committed to. As
an overview, promote is about ensuring awareness of the right; respect means to not violate a right; protect
means to ensure that others (e.g. companies, individuals, etc.)do not violate a right; and fulfil means to actually
implement the right, for example by providing healthcare facilities to fulfil the right to health. From this, it is
clear that States have a Duty to Protect against human rights violations by business and may engage in
promotional awareness raising activities also.
THREE
Human rights can be understood as an attempt by citizens and leaders around
the world to codify our notions of dignity, respect and equality
FOUR
Businesses are not solely responsible for the human rights impacts of
Economic activity–government and civil society are key actors too
Pressure from Investor- Many institutional investors now actively screen for allegations of human rights abuses
by a company they are considering for investment.This is also the case for the major public lending institutions,
stock exchanges and major private banks.
Meeting Expectations of Buyers or Customers-Few companies can prosper whilst knowingly abusing human
rights. Customers expect companies to respect human rights and avoid involvement in any such abuses.
Increasingly, such stakeholders expect not just minimum compliance but evidence of positive behaviour.
Staff Retention and Motivation- The best companies attract and keep the best employees, and good employees
contribute to success. A relationship built on respect for human dignity is likely to be more sustainable and
productive for both employer and employee.
Leadership-Ethical leadership is a key element of sustainable success in business.A corporate governance frame
work which takes account of human rights sets the tone for business behaviour,contributes to the success of the
company and helps meet stakeholder expectations.
21

22. There is now a recognized corporate responsibility to respect human rights which applies to business actors.
Governments unanimously affirmed the existence of this responsibility at the United Nations in 2008 and the
UN Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the UN SRSG
Professor John Ruggie’s Guiding Principles in 2011. The responsibility to respect essentially means not to
infringe upon the rights of others and to address adverse impacts when they occur. Companies can take steps to
meet their responsibility to respect human rights by carrying out human rights due diligence. Additionally,
companies should have in place a statement or policy articulating the company’s commitment to respect human
rights.
No company sets out to abuse human rights. No CEO, director, manager, employee, supplier, business partner
wants to have a negative effect on the lives of people their enterprise depends on. And most companies are
probably correct to presume that they do respect human rights. The paradigm shift underlying efforts by world
class business and embedded in the UN Guiding Principles is to the importance of knowing and showing (not
just claiming and assuming) that the company respects human rights in its own operations and value-chain.
Therefore, businesses should approach the human rights impacts of their operations, products and services in
the same way they manage other areas of the business–systemically,on an on-going basis,engaging the correct
internal and external expertise, tracking effectiveness and accounting for their actions to relevant parties. The
United Nations Guiding Principles endorse this policy, process and procedural approach by business to
respecting human rights and articulate that.
In order to meet their responsibility to respect human rights, business enterprises should have in place policies and
processes appropriate to their size and circumstances, including:
(a) A policy commitment to meet their responsibility to respect human rights;
(b) A human rights due diligence process to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for how they address their impacts
on human rights;
(c) Processes to enable the remediation of any adverse human rights impacts they cause or to which they contribute.
FIVE
Businesses are simply expected to "know and show" through due diligence how
they manage their human rights impacts
22

23. Brig. Rajiv Williams
EXPERT INITIATORS
PROGRAM CO-ORDINATION
Head - CSR
Jindal Stainless Limited
Luke Wilde
Chief Executive
twentyfifty UK
Rishi Sher Singh
Director
twentyfifty UK
Veena Sharma
Corporate Social Responsibility
Jindal Stainless Limited
Mehak Kaushik
Research Associate
GlobalHunt Foundation
PUBLICATION SUPPORT
PHOTO CREDIT
Radhika Ralhan
Manager Corporate Sustainability
GlobalHunt Foundation
Mehak Kaushik
Research Associate
GlobalHunt Foundation
Edited by
Compiled by
Firoz Alam
Graphics Designer
GlobalHunt Foundation
GlobalHunt Foundation 2015
Designed by

24. Published by : GlobalHunt Foundation Office
Contact : corporate@globalhuntfoundation.org
twentyfifty is a management consultancy based in the UK, Germany and Switzerland that works with
leading multinational companies to implement their commitments to social sustainability and human
rights in the core business and along the value chain. For more than ten years they have supported
clients across a wide spread of industries including oil, gas and mining, IT and telecommunications, food
and drink, tourism, pharmaceuticals and the financial sector. twentyfifty combines in-depth human rights
knowledge, organizational development and change facilitation expertise with experience in engaging
stakeholders in finding solutions to business problems.
GlobalHunt Foundation (GHF) is primarily a CSR research and consulting organization, it has been established as
a section 25 not for profit company registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956.As a signatory to the United
Nations Global Compact (UNGC), GHF serves as a knowledge catalyst and engages its vast corporate clientele
with diverse multi-stakeholders to enhance their Corporate Sustainable Responsibility (CSR), GHF provides key
services on research,reporting programme designing,advisory,training and due diligence for its pan India clients
comprising of leading corporate, civil society organizations, government institutions and academia.
About twentyfifty
About GlobalHunt Foundation (GHF)
Website : www.twentyfifty.co.uk
Website : www.globalhuntfoundation.org
Supported by :
Jindal Stainless Limited