On December 10, 2018, the Alumni talk 2018 event: Workshop on human rights and corporate responsibilities was held at Gothe Institute Hanoi.
The seminar was co-organized by the German International Cooperation Organization and the German Academic Exchange Service.
The seminar was attended by many senior leaders from many domestic and foreign businesses, including representatives of DEVIWAS and more than 30 different businesses.
Globalization, trade liberalization, along with the development of businesses – especially multinational and transnational corporations have had a great impact on human life. The workshop emphasized that: “The economic benefits that businesses bring are also associated with negative impacts on human rights such as exploitation of labor power of workers (wages, working hours). , labor conditions, freedom to join trade unions …) Every business in every sector has been impacting human rights, which raises the question of the responsibilities of employers. in this respect, protection and promotion of human rights. “
At present, the awareness of not only enterprises, but also state agencies, as well as society about human rights and obligations of human rights actors is quite limited. There is a need to change the perception that compliance with human rights standards is not only a responsibility of the State but also non-state actors, including businesses.
During the seminar, the leaders also emphasized the importance of the synchronous implementation in promulgating policies and laws on enterprises, land, environment, labor … in accordance with national standards. Human rights issues and international integration requirements will force businesses to adjust their operational goals and governance standards to support human rights. This will help the State’s responsibility to fulfill its human rights obligations shared with businesses.
In addition, it is essential to research and develop a National Strategy on business and human rights based on Guiding Principles on business and human rights. From there, the state agencies, as well as enterprises themselves, recognize and act to carry out the responsibility to respect their human rights.