Recruitment fees are holding back sustainable development - how can this practice be stopped?

Migrant workers sending money to home countries and communities can be an enormous driver of development. But ongoing exploitation of migrant workers during recruitment places severe limits on the benefits of migration.

In 2023, remittances - money...

What human rights responsibilities do media companies bear during conflict?

Two weeks ago, Hamas extremists staged a surprise raid into Israel, in which more than 1,000 people were killed, and over 200 hostages were taken.  Israel’s response has so far reportedly killed over 3,000 people in Gaza. A grave crisis is...

Slavery is ever present - the UK must step up

Last week saw the much-delayed appointment of the 3rd UK Anti-Slavery Commissioner, a position that has been  vacant since April 2022. The appointment of Eleanor Lyons, a former Government Advisor, is timely. 

On Anti-Slavery Day, the UK and many...

Respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities can advance the energy transition

In Norway this past spring, headlines showed protesters demanding the removal of wind turbines at the state’s Fosen wind park. The renewable energy project caused disruption to the reindeer grazing grounds of the Indigenous Sámi population and was...

Existential risk or tool for inclusive prosperity? AI’s future needs human rights

Headlines are currently dominated by record-breaking heatwaves, catastrophic flooding, massive wildfires, and other extreme weather patterns in many regions. Responding to the climate crisis requires unprecedented actions and new forms of...

Human rights is essential teaching in every business school

We have come a long way from the time when companies argued that protecting human rights were only issues of state obligations, and corporations did not have any responsibilities or legal duties.

After years of civil society campaigning, reports by...

Diversity needs defending - can companies rise to the challenge?

Companies that pursue diversity, equality, and inclusion programmes as part of their hiring and staff development strategies will likely face new scrutiny in the wake of last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision ending affirmative action policies in...

Pride 2023: A turning point for companies

Historically, companies have had to respond to activists denouncing their inaction related to the human rights of minorities in the countries in which they operate. 

This year the discussion suddenly reversed.

June is Pride Month globally, and...

Air pollution – the human costs are too great to be ignored

In 2010, I spoke at a conference on business and human rights to a corporate audience. At the end of my presentation, someone asked: “where’s the list of the human rights we need to consider?”

I responded, noting, the (soon to be) UN Guiding...

It’s time to mainstream the Just Transition

If there is a reason for why our next energy transition needs to be ‘just’, think no further than the 1980s in the UK. The country’s transition out of the coal industry divided communities and left regions and their people stranded and...

Uganda’s anti-homosexuality law: it’s time for business to speak up

There have been steady signs of progress in advancing LGBT rights over the past five years with countries decriminalising same sex relationships and some countries legalising same sex marriages. Many companies have embraced LGBT rights...

We need new strategies to redesign agriculture and food systems for people and planet

The role of business is crucial in shaping truly regenerative food systems that are better for human rights and a decarbonised future. This includes prioritising the agency of farmers, workers, and farm communities in the design of regenerative...

We asked ChatGPT about its impact on human rights and business. Here’s what it told us

ChatGPT won’t be able to stop its own misuse. It’s up to companies to place human rights principles at the core of machine learning AI.
 

The attention that ChatGPT has received in recent days has prompted a great deal of discussion about the...

Protecting migrant workers includes protecting the right to change employers

Throughout 2022, IHRB is marking ten years of the Dhaka Principles for Migration with Dignity with guest commentaries from representatives of business, trade unions, civil society organisations, and the UN system that reflect on the continuing...

COP27 Reflections: Human Rights are Increasingly on the Built Environment and Climate Action Agendas 

IHRB’s Built Environment programme played an active role at last month’s COP27 in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt where over 35,000 participants aimed to make faster progress on addressing the climate crisis. Our team attended 24 built environment-related...

From London 2012 to Qatar 2022 - The Hotel Industry and the Protection of Workers

The hotel industry is still not making needed reforms to protect workers

The 2012 London Olympics brought to greater public awareness often hidden issues linked to major events and the responsibilities of their hosts. How could global games...

Dhaka Principle 9 – Access to Remedy is Provided

Throughout 2022, IHRB is marking ten years of the Dhaka Principles for Migration with Dignity with guest commentaries from representatives of business, trade unions, civil society organisations, and the UN system that reflect on the continuing...

Moving Women Migrant Workers to the Centre of Responsible Recruitment

This year’s Global Forum for Responsible Recruitment took stock of ongoing efforts to protect the rights of migrant workers around the world through more effective regulations and corporate practices, including strategies to eradicate worker-paid...

One Year On – 5 Takeaways from South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)

Whilst South Africa is one of Africa’s largest economies, it is also the most unequal country in the world, with extreme levels of unemployment and poverty. It is highly vulnerable to climate shocks, but also one of the world’s largest coal...

Lessons from Singapore’s COVID lockdown - Reflections on Principle 8

Throughout 2022, IHRB is marking ten years of the Dhaka Principles for Migration with Dignity with guest commentaries from representatives of business, trade unions, civil society organisations, and the UN system that reflect on the continuing...