Corporate Social Responsibility

Business and Human Rights

Collaboration between the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governments has increased in recent years in promoting respect for human rights. The expanding reach and influence of multinational and domestic corporations has led to increased demand for voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) in general and more specifically as it relates to promoting respect for human rights.

Promoting respect for human rights, along with good governance and sustainable economic development, has been a cornerstone of the President’s foreign policy. Office of International Labor and Corporate Social Responsibility (DRL/ILCSR) actively engages corporations, both multinational and domestic, on these priorities, encouraging them in turn to adopt policies and practices that promote human rights and democracy.

CSR issues involving business and human rights that have garnered interest among various Members of Congress include the role of Internet-service companies with respect to restrictions on freedom of expression especially in China, the use of the worst forms of child labor in chocolate and cocoa companies’ supply chains, the working conditions in factories producing goods related to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and child labor.

Through DRL/ILCSR, the U.S. Government has demonstrated its support for and participated in several voluntary CSR initiatives.