BSR Insight Articles About Human Rights

Investing in Factory Workers’ Mental Health and Well-Being

Jessica Davis Pluess, Manager, Research

In response to the reported rise of suicides among Chinese factory workers, leading companies are investing in employee-assistance programs (EAPs)—including mental health education, diagnostic services, and counseling—to help workers and their families balance work- and personal-life demands, while also improving productivity. While common in North America, EAPs are emerging as important tools for addressing the root causes of mental health issues among workers in China. Read more →

Posted: August 9, 2011 | Topics: Consumer Products, Human Rights, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain

Improving Migrant Worker Recruitment in Indonesia

Chris Nolan, Associate Director, Advisory Services

BSR’s Migration Linkages initiative released a new report covering the experiences of migrant workers who leave Indonesia for Malaysia. The report also includes recommendations for improving Indonesia’s recruitment system. Read more →

Posted: July 26, 2011 | Topics: Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Human Rights, Supply Chain

BSR, Intel Gather Experts to Spur Social Innovation in China

Pei Bin, Former Director, China Partnership Development

At a Beijing meeting, BSR and Intel brought together 15 government, academic, nonprofit, and business experts to discuss how things like infrastructure, institutions, incentives, inspiration, integration, interaction, and investments can spark innovative solutions to address China’s growing social and environmental challenges. Experts also discussed how companies could leverage their expertise, technology, talent, and capital to transform their traditional approaches to social responsibility to make a greater impact.   Read more →

Posted: July 26, 2011 | Topics: Environment, Human Rights

The Opportunity for Technology in Sustainability: In Conversation With BSR’s New ICT Practice Director

Eva Dienel, Associate Director, Communications Vijay Kanal, Former Director, Information and Communications Technology Practice, Advisory Services

Vijay Kanal first began working on sustainability issues in the technology sector several years ago when a client retained his consulting firm to identify market opportunities for sustainable design software. Intrigued by this assignment, Kanal—who began his career in the industry as an electrical engineer, and later held senior roles in marketing, partnership development, and product introductions at Sun Microsystems—made a personal investment in sustainability by educating himself on the opportunities for the ICT industry. Several engagements followed in developing sustainability strategies and identifying best practices for clients. Read more →

Posted: July 25, 2011 | Topics: Environment, Human Rights, Information & Communications Technology, Strategy & Integration

Transforming the Global Food System

SustainAbility’s “Appetite for Change” explores the transformation needed for a sustainable global food system that is "reliable, resilient, and transparent; produces food within ecological limits; empowers food producers; and ensures accessible, nutritious food for all." While a variety of stakeholders is required for large-scale, systemic change, the report calls on the private sector to become more engaged in the debate and embrace new market opportunities to make this transformation possible. Read more →

Posted: July 19, 2011 | Topics: Environment, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Human Rights, Strategy & Integration