All Articles About Economic, Social & Cultural Rights

Report: Step Up: Improving Recruitment of Migrant Workers in Indonesia

This report released by BSR’s Migration Linkages initiative examines the recruitment of migrant workers from Indonesia to Malaysia, highlighting key risks and opportunities for both workers and business. The research is part of the initiatives’ focus on identifying and promoting ethical recruitment practices among business and uncovered significant variability in the recruitment process—variability that can contribute to less-than-ideal outcomes for workers. The report also articulates some of the wholesale changes required of both government and business to address these issues and improve the recruitment system in Indonesia, laying the groundwork for Migration Linkages’ guidance for business on ethical recruitment to follow later in 2011. Read more →

Posted: July 20, 2011 | Topics: Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Human Rights, Supply Chain | Download (PDF)

BSR Insight Article: Scaling the Impact of Worker Rights In-Factory Trainings

Ayesha Barenblat, Former Director, Stakeholder Collaboration

BSR—in partnership with the Levi Strauss Foundation (LSF)—recently authored a train-the-trainer resource for under-resourced worker rights training organizations operating in the light manufacturing industry. In developing this guide, organizations including Better Work, BSR’s China Training Institute, the Asia Foundation, Verite, and CARE collaborated for the first time to share lessons learned and innovative approaches to delivering worker rights trainings. Read more →

Posted: July 19, 2011 | Topics: Civil & Political Rights, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Supply Chain

Report: Protecting the Rights of Garment Factory Workers: A Train-the-Trainer Resource

In this document, you will find lessons and advice from pioneering factory trainers and organizations that the Levi Strauss Foundation is honored to support, in pursuit of protecting the rights of apparel factory workers. We invite you to grapple with and test this resource—and by offering your feedback and advice, join us on this journey toward improving the lives of factory workers around the world. Read more →

Posted: July 18, 2011 | Topics: Civil & Political Rights, Consumer Products, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Supply Chain | Download (PDF)

BSR Insight Article: Social Impact Assessments Help Companies Manage Risks and Opportunities

Alison Colwell, Associate Director, Advisory Services

With growing stakeholder expectations and increasingly complex operating environments, leading companies recognize the need for a more comprehensive approach to understanding and managing project risks and opportunities that moves beyond regulatory requirements. Social impact assessments (SIA)—the process of analyzing, monitoring, and managing social issues such as resettlement and access to water—can help companies reduce risks, enhance operational decision-making, improve stakeholder relations, maximize community benefits, and secure a company’s license to operate. Read more →

Posted: June 28, 2011 | Topics: Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Energy, Human Rights, Mining, Supply Chain, Water

BSR Insight Article: Bringing Access to Finance to Supply Chain Workers

Chhavi Ghuliani, Manager, Advisory Services

Approximately 2.5 billion adults do not use formal financial services to save or borrow money, and 90 percent of them live in the developing world. Companies across all sectors can work through their supply chains to address barriers to access by offering financial education programs and products through automated payroll and direct deposit schemes. This can ensure that workers are paid the right amount and at the right time, and prevent fraud that sometimes occurs in factories and erodes take-home pay. Read more →

Posted: June 21, 2011 | Topics: Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Financial Services