This submission to the Joint Commission on Human Rights (JCHR) focuses on (1) the human rights risks arising from corporate activity during the coronavirus pandemic and gaps in measures taken by the Government in response; (2) measures that should be taken by the Government to ensure that pandemic responses protect human rights from harmful business activity.
It argues that the need for well regulated supply chains has been made more evident by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has exposed structural injustices in our society and economy and the burden of risk carried by workers globally in supply chains.
Voluntary initiatives have failed, and in the absence of strong laws corporate competitive dynamics continue to perpetuate a ‘race to the bottom’. New measures are needed to ensure accountability for their business human rights impacts. This includes:
- A corporate duty to prevent negative human rights and environmental impacts
- Measures to assess and address risks of human rights harm in public sector supply chains
- A rebalancing of corporate governance away from a singular focus on shareholder interests
- Ensuring that stimulus packages prioritise those most at risk from the social and economic impacts of the crisis
- Addressing UK labour law breaches and gaps, and ensure COVID-19 protections for workers
- Full scrutiny of trade agreements by Parliament in order to guarantee the Government retains its right to regulate.
