International Standards to Establish Corporate Social Responsibility into Business Sector and Human Right According to the Principles of United Nations

Abstract

                   This research focused on the studying of international principles in relation to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and human right principles according to United Nations’ practical guidelines. The documentary research and in-depth interviews were applied for the study as the author had participated directly as a member in the Sub-Committee of Economic, Social and Culture of the National Human Right Commission of Thailand between 2010-2015. Stakeholders, such as businessmen, academician, and affected persons who claimed the problem to the Human Right Commission, were interviewed. The problem were, for example, the breaching of rights to local contractor in the business of agricultural contract-farming, the breaching of right in the business of lumber, and the breaching of right in the business of trading in old-city commercial areas. In addition, this research aimed to study the protection of human rights under the UN guidelines. These can be separated into four institutes: human rights, labour, environment, and natural resources. All of these institutes have the same goal which is the business sector must pay attention to CSR and Human Rights. In the other words, the heart of Corporate Social Responsibility (‘CSR’) is Human Rights (‘HR’) according to the framework to “protect-respect-reparation with awareness” HR-Due Diligence.

                  Research outcome: First, thirteen international principles have been identified in this research: to support protection of human rights at international level; to dispose the violations in the human right in relation to labour; to promote freedom of association to negotiation; to dispose forcing people to work; to repeal using child labour; to dispose discrimination in relation to employment and occupation; to support environmental protection; to promote responsibility to the environment; to promote technologies friendly to environment; to dispose all forms of corruption; to protect consumer and fair market competition; to protect healthy and safety; and to provide affected persons to receive necessary information and effective reparation. Second, the research found the United Nations principles to the improving of CSR: by an establishment of an institute performing a duty as a network on issues related to commercial and human right in Thailand which would generate better solutions to the practical level. This research also aimed to be a guideline for the business entrepreneurs to establish the more effective way to apply CSR with sustainability.