The National Contact Point (NCP) to the OECD organized a workshop co-sponsored by civil society organizations, members of the OECD Watch network. The workshop objective was to promote and raise awareness of responsible corporate conduct and to contribute to the review process of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (Guidelines).
During the meeting issues related to value chains, human rights, employment and industrial relations, the fight against corruption, environmental and consumer advocacy were discussed.
The OECD began a review process of OECD Guidelines since June this year. The aim of the review is to update and upgrade the recommendations in the guidelines on substantive issues that will enlighten on responsible corporate conduct for Multinational Corporations.
Participating organizations, most of them human rights organizations, expressed concern about the lack of specific consequences in front of proven violation to the Guidelines in the cases submitted to the PNC.
Stresses was put particularly on State owned corporations and also in corporations were the State owns share in majority, demanding that the Guidelines become mandatory in such cases.
During the workshop several presentations were made related to substantive issues of the OECD Guidelines review process, including corporate accountability and human rights. In this regard, Dr. Victor Ricco presented the current international process linked to subject matter of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations (TNCs) in the framework of the UN.
In this matter, he stated that the contribution of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other business, Professor John Ruggie will have a direct impact on the definition of the human rights chapter to be incorporated in the OECD Guidelines review process.
The differentiated impact that the multinational corporation may cause in developing countries where they operate is highly important, therefore companies must work in order to take all steps within its power to prevent human rights violations.
For further information:
Victor Ricco
Coordinator of Human Rights, Business and Sustainable Development Program