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In This Issue
Editor's Note
Getting the Most Out of Stakeholder Engagement
Last week, we published the last paper in our series on BSR’s five-step approach to stakeholder engagement, one of the bread-and-butter CSR practices that is also one of the most commonly misunderstood.
This week, BSR’s stakeholder engagement lead, Farid Baddache, and Jonathan Morris offer insights collected during the writing of those reports that will help you create a stakeholder engagement strategy that is more meaningful for your company. In particular, they examine the best way to use social media and how to take advantage of your company’s "entry points"—opportunities for interaction at all levels and functions.
With oral arguments in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Shell set for February 28, we also examine what companies can expect from the U.S. Supreme Court’s imminent decision on whether corporations can be held liable for human rights abuses committed overseas.
And we highlight a new BSR report on steps business can take to address the health risks that commonly affect migrant workers in international supply chains.
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In Depth
Back to the Basics: How to Make Stakeholder Engagement Meaningful for Your Company
By Jonathan Morris, Associate, Advisory Services, BSR; Farid Baddache, Director, Europe, BSR
Stakeholder engagement is one of the most common CSR practices but also one of the most misunderstood. Here is a primer on BSR’s five-step approach and some advice on making your engagement strategy more meaningful for your core business.
Read more →
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Spotlight
Should Corporations Be Liable for Overseas Human Rights Abuses?
By Peter Nestor, Manager, Advisory Services, BSR
The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to decide whether corporations can be held liable for human rights abuses committed overseas in what will certainly be a landmark case.
The plaintiffs argue that corporations should be held liable, just as they are for injuries caused at home. Opponents argue that U.S. law does not apply in these cases, and that corporations are not the right actors to address human rights abuses in corrupt countries. Eight justices could easily split their votes, and the tiebreaker will likely be Justice Anthony Kennedy, who is sympathetic to corporations but is also a staunch supporter of international human rights law.
The U.S. Justice Department recently filed a brief in support of the plaintiffs, along with dozens of other NGOs. A decision that corporations can be liable could trigger a wave of lawsuits against companies operating in locations prone to abuse.
Regardless of the outcome, leading companies are already taking proactive steps to address human rights in their operations. This makes good business sense, and helps to protect companies given an uncertain legal environment.
Oral arguments in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Shell are set for February 28, and the court will likely issue a decision midyear.
Toolbox
Improving Migrant Worker Health in Your Supply Chain
By Chris Nolan, Associate Director, Advisory Services, BSR
A new brief developed by BSR’s Migration Linkages initiative identifies common health issues that affect migrant workers as well as steps business can take to address them. These issues include: underdeveloped public health systems in origin countries, cultural norms and beliefs, language barriers that prevent adequate understanding of occupational health and safety standards, and mental health strains.
Migrant worker health is increasingly important for companies following the UN’s endorsement of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the identification of migrant workers as a group specifically requiring protection related to health.
To take action, companies should:
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Map and identify health risks for major migration corridors in the supply chain.
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Build worker health profiles—including origin-country health information and data from pre-employment health assessments—to inform preventative health programs.
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Develop programs on topics such as HIV/AIDS and reproductive health.
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Ensure the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of health services in the destination country.
For more information, contact Chris Nolan or Guy Morgan.
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