In a special series of online discussions intended to inspire and inform action, IHRB and partners are examining the responsibilities of companies for the human rights of workers and affected communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This broadcast, the third in the series, focuses on the immediate human rights implications of trading commodities. The Coronavirus pandemic is having a massive impact on global supply networks. Millions of workers are involved on a daily basis in a massive effort to keep global supply chains connected to ensure that people receive daily essential goods and commodities. Commodity traders and trading exchanges play an important role in this process and can help in identifying solutions that promote public health while minimising economic damage.

Featuring:

• John Morrison, CEO, IHRB (moderator)
• Alexandre Fasel, Ambassador of Switzerland to the UK
• Matthew Chamberlain, Chief Executive Officer, London Metal Exchange
• Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Director Division on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD  
• Tyler Gillard, Head of Sector Projects, Responsible Business Conduct Unit, OECD
• Jan Klawitter, Principal - International Relations, AngloAmerican

Hosted by

Co-hosted with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and London Metal Exchange  

Questions Submitted by Participants

IHRB received a number of excellent and wide-ranging questions for speakers in advance of the broadcast, as well as many more during the live discussion. We have shared those below to give a sense of the concerns that business, government, and civil society practitioners are grappling with in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At registration: 

• Is a new social contract possible in the commodity trade and extraction?
• How to protest child labour in value chains in mining, esp Colton?
• What legislative mechanisms can be considered to guide effective responses to the impact of CORVID?
• To what extent will new investments be impacted due to the pandemic?  
• During the covid-19 pandemic, how to protect the human right of frontline works

During the live broadcast: 

• What are your panellists opinions on the impact of escalating Trade Wars on responsible global supply chains? - Martin Watkins
• What are your arguments to commodity traders why  they should prioritse mid-term/ longerterm impacts on human rights/ environment rather than shortterm monetary goals? What are your buy-in / business case arguments? Any hard facts/ empirical data you can name?
• I'd like to know from the panelist - is there a business case for ESG considerations in Emerging Markets like Africa, particularly on Children's Rights and Labour with COVID-19 context?
• In terms of Mining in Africa, there is still Child labour in Congo and many parts of Africa. how can we strengthen compliance in mining value chains?
• I was wondering if the Swiss government plans in the near future to raise awareness of Swiss-based shipping companies's due diligence efforts based on   UNGPs OECD Guidelines but also on compliance with a wide range of maritime and labour convention .
• With push towards near-shoring and shorter supply chains, do you think we would still be able to push for human rights issues in global supply chains?
• Why does there need to be a balance between transparency & independent verification... surely they can work together?
• What are the panellists views on how business and governments can avoid short-term economic demands post-Covid-19 undermining the societal need for responsible supply chain tracing? - Martin Watkins
• Will LME brands be expected to self-certify compliance with forthcoming LME standards, or will they be subject to independent verification?
• You speak of a multi-stakeholder approach, could a principles-based approach create a better foundation or do you perceive the stakeholder approach a necessity in order to be inclusive throughout the value chain?
• How can we convince to a customer for this situation going on  

 

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In a special series of online discussions intended to inspire and inform action, IHRB and partners examine the responsibilities of companies for the human rights of workers and affected communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first in the series looks at the international policy context and the spotlight the pandemic has shone on modern employment relationships and social safety nets. The second analyses the crisis as it affects workers in global supply chains, with a special focus on Bangladesh. The third in the series focuses on the immediate human rights implications of trading commodities.