How Shell protects the environment

Ekram Kabir
In March 1997, international oil giant, Shell, published a statement of General Business
Principles, translated into 34 different languages !his statement recogni"ed that the compan# is
accountable to fi$e t#pes of sta%eholder& shareholders, customers, emplo#ees, those 'ith 'hom
the compan# does business and societ#
!'o significant changes 'ere made to the pre$ious statement of principles !he first 'as a
commitment to the concept of sustainable de$elopment and the second 'as recogni"ing a dut# to
support the upholding of basic human rights !hus, the compan# defines its responsibilities to the
societ# In the follo'ing lines( )to conduct business as responsible corporate members of societ#,
to obser$e the la's of the countries in 'hich the# operate, to e*press support for fundamental
human rights in line 'ith the legitimate role of business and to gi$e proper regard to health,
safet# and the en$ironment consistent 'ith their commitment to contribute to sustainable
de$elopment+
Shell claims to be the first multinational to ma%e such a commitment to human rights !hen, in
March 199,, the group brought out a publication titled, )-limate -hange . /hat does Shell thin%
and do about it+ In this, Shell authorities said that the# belie$ed in prudent precautionar#
measures, and that emissions limits for greenhouse gases set in 0#oto pro$ided the necessar#
signals to encourage such measures
In 1pril 199,, Shell 2il in the 3nited States 'ithdre' from the Global -limate -oalition 4G--5
Shell 2il+s membership in the G-- had been a contro$ersial one as the G-- acti$el# campaigns
against legall# binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions as 'ell as ratification of the 0#oto
Protocol, 'hich has set such targets, b# the 3S go$ernment
/ith regard to compan# responsibilit# to support human rights, Brian 1nderson, a former
managing director of SP6-, spo%e openl# in support of the 2goni 19, campaigners for the rights
of the 2goni people 'ho 'ere being held in prison, and his successor, 7on $an den Berg, has
been continuing in the same $ein
1 8993 report of the compan# loo%s at the progress the Shell has made on en$ironmental and
corporate responsibilit# issues
Shell thin%s its products ha$e to be safe for people and the en$ironment 3nfortunatel#, use of
animals in laborator# testing is sometimes necessar#, either because it is re:uired b# la', or
because there is no accepted alternati$e to it ;nerg# and petrochemical companies are relati$el#
minor users of animals is such e*periments Shell uses officiall# appro$ed facilities and data
sho' that it does not test on cats, dogs or mon%e#s Shell has committed funding and staff time to
organi"ations 'or%ing to de$elop alternati$es 1 significant proportion of Shell+s animal testing is
carried out through industr# consortia 4groups of co<producer companies5 . a method of reducing
the numbers of animals used
Shell also thin%s that their operations can also ha$e a negati$e impact one local communities =or
instance, building ne' facilities ma# re:uire local residents to be resettled Shell>s direct
neighbours ma# be sub?ect to noise or other en$ironmental nuisances It is a'are of the fact that
its arri$al ma# cause a construction, boom, dri$e up local prices and strain ser$ices >=ile
compan# is committed to 'or%ing together 'ith the communit# to limit these disruptions
In 8998, Shell continued to ma%e progress at @orco < its refiner# and petrochemical plant in
Aouisiana, 3S1<on rebuilding trust 'ith a local communit# concerned about en$ironmental and
safet# incidents !hrough a ?oint $enture 'ith Moti$a Shell aimed to increase transparenc#,
impro$e its en$ironmental performance and raise the :ualit# of life for the communit# Site and
Moti$a ha$e in$ested to reduce air emissions, 'hich are no' 39 per cent belo' 199, le$els and
are supporting the creation of an independent air :ualit# monitoring unit b# members of the
communit#, @-0s, academics and local go$ernment
0aren /estle#, Shell =oundation Programme Manager sa#s( BPro$idint, access to modem energ#
sa$es li$es !'o million people<mainl# 'omen and children die each #ear from breathing high
le$els of indoor smo%e, mainl# front coo%ing fires !his is the fourth<highest cause of death in the
de$eloping 'orld, accord< in< to the /C2
Shell signed a ?oint statement of success 'ith its neighbour in 8998 to recognise the progress
made together so far It is tac%ling similar issues at the S1II7;= refiner# in South 1fiica and
'or%ing to address resettlement and other communit# issues in its pro?ects in -hina
!he ;% 0ia, -ountr# -hair of Shell -ompanies in @orth ;ast, 1sia, has been in -hina 'hich he
thin%s 'ill li%el# triple its econom# 'ithin 89 #ears ;nerg# and petrochemical use 'ill gro'
sharpl# B!he e*tra energ# needed b# -hina bet'een no' and 8989 is e:ui$alent to all of /estern
;urope>s energ# demand toda# 1ir pollution is alread# a serious problem in man# -hinese cities
/ith coal meeting 79 percent of toda#>s energ# needs, -hina>s greenhouse gas emissions are the
second highest in the 'orld !he go$ernment is committed to deli$ering tomorro'+s energ# in a
sustainable 'a# and 'e are 'or%ing closel# 'ith -hinese partners to help de$elop the clean
energ# and petrochemicals the countr# needs to gro',B lie sa#s
Social performance is ho' 'ell Shell manages disrupti$e impacts and generate benefits for
communities 'here it <operates It has places 'here its performance is amongst the best in the
industr# =or e*ample, its Malampa#a pro?ect in the Philippines 'as one of 19 pro?ects to 'in a
Partnerships 1'ard < sponsored b# the 3@ ;n$ironment Programme and the International
-hamber of -ommerce < at the /orld Summit oil Sustainable 6e$elopment in 899D
Shell>s main challenge no' is deli$ering good social performance consistentl# e$er#'here it
operates 7ather than mo$ing straight to formal<underlines or standards, it is ta%ing a learning
b#<doing approach In 8991, Shell>s businesses created a dedicated Social Performance Manage<
ment 3nit 4SPM35 to support their efforts to impro$e Shell>s social performance In 8998, the
SPM3 established a common language and frame'or% for social performance across Shell It
de$eloped guidance notes for managers, ran training 'or%shops oil se$eral continents to help
share best practice and pro$ided direct support to a number of pro?ectsB
Indi$idual Shell companies also run social in$estment programmes Shell+s contribution to these
programmes 'as almost E9F million in 8998, up from E,G million in 8991 !hat is appro*imatel#
one percent of its net after<ta* income, in line 'ith its fi$e<#ear a$erage !he largest share<more
than a :uarter< is spent on education and s%ills de$elopment
!he CIHI1I6S pandemic affects our emplo#ees and customers It belie$es that it can help b#
'or%ing in partnership 'ith others to reduce the spread of the disease
!hroughout sub<Saharan 1frica, Shell runs 1I6S pre$ention and care programmes for its
emplo#ees and their families and use its retail outlets to raise public a'areness 4Shell 7eport
89915 It also has $oluntar# Group guidelines, 'hich the compan# is piloting in se$eral 1frican
countries to supplement e*isting acti$ities and help it de$elop a consistent response to this issue
In Bangladesh, the Shell Bangladesh ;*ploration and 6e$elopment B H is also dedicated to the
fundamental health, safet# and en$ironment 4CS;5 related principles, foremost of 'hich is to
pursue the goal of no<harm to people 'hile protecting the en$ironment
Ste'art Bro'n, the managing director of Shell Bangladesh ;*ploration and 6e$elopment BH,
sa#s( J/e ha$e a corporate responsibilit# to publicl# support our CS; performance and to pla# a
leading role in promoting best practices in our industr#K
Shell also 'or%s 'ith the /orld -onser$ation 3nion 4I3-@5 to encourage and assist societies to
conser$e the integrit# and di$ersit# of nature and ensure natural resources that are used in a fair
and ecologicall# sustainable 'a# She is the first energ# compan# to establish a biodi$ersit#
standard It commits all shell companies to respect protected areas, maintain ecos#stems and
contribute to conser$ation It has sho'n it can meet this standard in pro?ects from Gabon in
1frica to the Stan lo' refiner# in the 30
Businesses giving back to the society
Ekram Kabir
-orporate Social 7esponsibilit# 4-S75 is a relati$el# ne' and rapidl# de$eloping phenomenon It
is the commitment of business to contribute to sustainable economic de$elopment, 'or%ing 'ith
emplo#ees, their families, the local communit# and societ# at large to impro$e their :ualit# of
life
BBut then -S7 is not onl# simpl# a communalit# acti$it#, although this is the most $isible part of
it,B sa#s 6a$id =letcher, the chief e*ecuti$e officer of Standard -hartered Ban%, Bangladesh,
'hile tal%ing to !he =;, adding -S7 is also about the core $alues and ethics of an organisation
BIt, therefore, in$ol$es e$er# emplo#ee,B e*plains the Stan-hart chief in Bangladesh 1ccording
to him, the field of responsible business practice is one of the most rapidl# e$ol$ing and
challenging sub?ects facing corporates toda# B-ompanies no' ha$e to build shareholder $alue
'hile balancing the increasing social, ethical and en$ironmental e*pectations of the societ#,B he
e*plained
In short, companies toda# ha$e to ma%e profits 'ith principles, 'hich 'ill e$entuall# need
companies to be more transparent 1nd 'hat is more, there is a realisation that being responsible
can actuall# be good for a compan#>s reputation and for business
But is -S7 reall# needed in a de$eloping countr# li%e BangladeshD 6a$id thin%s that a sociall#
responsible business en$ironment is as much needed in Bangladesh as an#'here else, as he sa#s(
BIn Bangladesh, the societ# should get e$en a greater le$el of commitment from business Lou see
-S7 is about business gi$ing bac% to the societ# In de$eloping countries li%e Bangladesh 'here
social institutions are still e$ol$ing, the corporate entities ha$e to sho' more commitment
!herefore, there is all the more reason 'h# 'e need gro'ing a'areness about, and emphasis on,
-S7 in countries li%e BangladeshB
!here, of course, 'as all old concept of -S7 But this is changing in Bangladesh It is changing,
6a$id sa#s, but not as fast as it is changing in other countries Businesses no' realise that social
commitment brings recognition
B1ll companies need to consider their -S7 for t'o basic reasons =irstl#, because there is
intensif#ing pressure from all sta%eholders to do so 1n# compan# that does not de$elop and
promote its -S7 polic# to all its sta%eholders 'ill face increasing threats to its reputation
Secondl#, because it ma%es a sound business sense, enhances reputation, brings in ne' business
and impro$es sta%eholder return,B the Stan-hart -;2 in Bangladesh said
Ce adds( B-S7 is something that cannot be made more successful b# passin8 regulations I thin%
more and more companies should come for'ard 'ith -S7 imitati$e from 'ithin to set e*amples
for others to follo' !he go$ernment can encourage -S7 initiati$es through recognition a'ards
or ta* benefits, etc /hat is more, the go$ernment should encourage companies to be more
transparent about their codes of conduct, emplo#ment practices, etc !he# are alread# loo%ing
for'ard to doing this and this should be encouraedB
Standard -hartered Ban% is serious about -S7 !his is dri$en from its Group office !here is a
special office in the 30, 'hich loo%s after -S7 and ensures its implementation in all countries
'here the Ban% operates lit each countr#, the -;2 is responsible for -S7 implementation
B2ur -hairman and the Group -;2 personall# ta%e interest in -S7 acti$ities and are accountable
to the Board Board =or more in formation on our -S7, #ou can $isit our 'ebsite
'''standardcharteredcom, 6a$id sa#s
Stan-hart+s -S7 acti$ities are of t'o t#pes 2ne t#pe includes communit# de$elopment centred
around health, education and #outh Stan-hart encourages its emplo#ees to ta%e o'nership of
such pro?ects and get in$ol$ed in these acti$ities In Bangladesh, Stan-hart has a number of
communit# acti$ities amongst 'hich is its in$ol$ement in Island ;#e Cospital at a significant
le$el
J/e are building Standard -hartered 2peration !heatre and -hildren+s /ard in Islamia and also
sponsoring Primar# ;#e -are !raining through Sight Sa$ers International,K 6a$id sa#s, adding(
JIn 8993, 'e are hoping to impart training to about 7,999 health 'or%ers 2ur emplo#ees are also
donating their one da#+s salar# plus additional amounts for restoring e#e<sight of at least 1G9
children b# the /orld Sight 6a# on 2ctober 99, 8993 Standard -hartered Group is going to raise
fund to restore the e#e<sight of 8,,999 people b# the /orld Sight+s 6a# under its )Seeing is
Belie$ing+ initiati$eK
But 'hat 'ould be the case, if -S7 is loo%ed at as another form of ad$ertisement of a compan#D
If that is the case, -S7 should be :uite beneficial for businessM
In this connection, the Stan-hart chief in Bangladesh said( JMan# companies are disco$ering a
clear correlation bet'een reputation and customer satisfaction Aoss of reputation is seen as a %e#
ris% b# a large proportion of -;2s toda#K
1 good reputation is the best form of ad$ertisement in the modern 'orld, 6a$id sa#s Ce notes
this increases business opportunities and profitabilit# Moreo$er, if a compan# and its directors
ha$e made reputation JdepositsK and created a good, open and honest reputation, it can sur$i$e a
crisis
When employees, consumers and societies meet
Ekram Kabir
/hen Indian 'omen 'ere getting the Miss /orld and Miss 3ni$erse a'ards one after another,
Bangladeshi 'omen had nothing else but to 'o'ing at their achie$ements But 'hen Au* Miss
Photogenic programme 'as introduced b# the Ae$er Brothers Bangladesh Aimited 4ABBA5, the
dreams of Bangladeshi 'omen came true partiall# !he# no' ha$e an #earl# competition, 'here
the prettiest female face is glorified
!his is one of the e*amples of the ABBA+s corporate social responsibilities 4-S75 1nd in$ol$ing
people in business is possible 'hen a compan# li%e the ABBA 'hich belie$es that its purpose is
to meet the e$er#da# needs of people e$er#'here It has to anticipate the aspirations of its
consumers and customers and to respond creati$el# and competiti$el# 'ith branded products and
ser$ices 'hich raises the :ualit# of life
!he ABBA belie$es success re:uires the highest standards of corporate beha$iour to'ards its
emplo#ees, consumers and societies in 'hich it operates
!his is the compan#+s road to a sustainable and profitable gro'th of business and long<term $alue
creation for its shareholders and emplo#ees !he ABBA has strong historical commitment to
-S7< a commitment it see%s to fulfil e$er#da# It has been a proacti$e partner of the go$ernment
in pursuing the common :uest of de$eloping the countr# and impro$ing the :ualit# of life in
Bangladesh
Ae$er Brothers supports communit# de$elopment through $arious initiati$es 1s sponsor of the
Missionaries of -harit# at Pahartoli, -hittagong, the ABBA regularl# donates its products so that
the children there are brought up in a h#gienic en$ironment !he Missionaries of -harit# is an
@G2 dedicated to impro$ing the life of orphans !he ob?ecti$e of the @G2 is to pro$ide all
necessar# care to orphans until adulthood
!he orphanage currentl# accommodates 9G residents !he ABBA supports this organi"ation b#
pro$iding Ae$er Brothers products e$er# month
!he compan# has assisted the Ma 2+ Shishu Cospital in 1grabad, -hittagong in constructing and
reno$ating its infrastructures< outdoor patients reporting room, doctor+s chamber, four 'ards, and
corridors !he ABBA also sponsors students from $arious educational institutions in chittagong as
members of the British -ouncil Aibrar#
!he ABBA subscribes to the adage( )a health# nation is a 'ealth# nation+ Its efforts, therefore, do
not stop at sponsorship onl# Brands li%e Pepsodent ha$e pla#ed a pi$otal role in dri$ing oral
h#giene a'areness across the countr# 6ental Cealth /ee% and School ;ducation Programme are
t'o e*amples of the ABBA+s initiati$es to help de$elop good h#giene practices
!he 6ental Support Programme is a mammoth communit# e*ercise that encompasses both direct
and indirect dissemination of the need and importance of oral h#giene @ot onl# does a team of
dedicated Ae$er resource persons along 'ith a :ualified dentist $isit schools to educate school
children& the programme reaches out to countless others indirectl# b# training primar# and
secondar# teachers
=urthermore, the Ae$er Brothers ?oined its hands 'ith the Islamic =oundation of Bangladesh to
educate )imams+ on dental h#giene 'ho disseminate the message during pra#er congregations
More than 18 million school children ha$e been co$ered under this programme and the Ae$er
Brothers is committed to the continuation of this ser$ice to the communit#
Besides such acti$ities, another uni:ue initiati$e has been the Pepsodent 6ental Cealth 1'areness
/ee% 3nder this programme, people call in for an appointment and ha$e their teeth chec%ed b#
dental professionals during a stipulated time /hile this enables people to %no' about their oral
condition, this also raises a'areness among them about good oral conditions
Aifebuo# =riendship Cospital, the flagship pro?ect of =riendship sponsored b# Aifebuo#, has
completed its one<#ear of ser$ice in the ri$erine and char areas In its one #ear of operation, the
Aifebuo# =riendship Cospital has pro$ided ser$ices to around 3F,999 people out of 'hich 1,,999
people 'ere gi$en direct treatment and the rest 'ere brought under the health education program
'ith beha$ioural change communication
!he Aifebuo# =riendship Cospital 'as launched in March 8998 It started its formal operation
from Ma# 8998 in Aa%hirchar, 0eranigan? on the ri$er 6halesh'ari In Nune 8998, the first bab#
'as born on the Aifebuo# =riendship Cospital that generated huge e*citement and con$iction
among the medical team on board !he bab# 'as named as JBhashomaniK as she 'as the first
bab# to born on the floating hospital
!he Aifebuo# Cospital also participated in the S3B @ational Immunisation 6a# on 1ugust 19
and September 14, in Aa%hirchar in collaboration 'ith the local go$ernment health comple*
'here around 1,999 children 'ere gi$en Polio $accine and Hitamin 1 capsule In September
8998, the first JAifebuo# =riendship Cospital It is currentl# ser$ing at 0holarbaru -har on the
'estern ban% of the ri$er Namuna in 6e'angan? under Namalpur district
1t Ae$er Brothers, protecting the en$ironment is not onl# their belief, the compan# treats it to be
its -S7 It 'or%s to'ards adhering to the highest standards of en$ironmental protection It has
therefore, adopted a proacti$e stance to'ards en$ironmental protection to ensure that 'hile
meeting the needs of the present generations, one should not pre?udice the abilit# of the future
generations
!he Ae$er Brothers initiated an e*tensi$e 'ater conser$ation programme, resulting in a reduction
of 'ater consumption per ton of product b# appro*imatel# 79 percent o$er last #ear In order to
reduce air emission, the Ae$er Brothers has almost discontinued the use of furnace oil 4'hich
contains almost three percent of sulphur5 at its site, thereb# drasticall# reducing sulphur di<o*ide
emissions 3se of incinerator has also been discontinued since earl# 199, to reduce air emission
from the site and replaced b# an industrial shredder machine to shred all pac%aging 'astes !he
Ae$er Brothers has also discontinued the use of 2"one 6epleting 7efrigerants li%e -=-
-urrentl# the site uses onl# C-=- as refrigerants
1s testament to Ae$er Brother+s efforts to conser$e the en$ironment, it has commissioned an
effluent treatment plant in 8991 at an in$estment of !% 89 million resulting in drastic
impro$ement in effluent :ualit# . far e*ceeding the national re:uirements
1part from bridging the communication gap bet'een urban and rural areas, the Ae$er Brothers
organi"ed Surf ;*cel Painting -arni$al !he painting carni$al 'as de$eloped on the premise that
)!here is no learning 'ithout stains+
2$er the #ears, the Ae$er Brothers has earned a reputation for conducting its business 'ith
integrit# and respect for the interests of those 'hom its acti$ities can affect !his reputation is an
asset, ?ust as real as its people and brands
Diversity is both a challenge and a responsibility
Experience of TotalFinaElf in more than 120 countries
Ekram Kabir
1s a global pla#er in the energ# and chemicals industries, !otal=ina;lf is engaged 'ith
sustainable de$elopment issues !hierr# 6esmarest, the -hairman and -hief ;*ecuti$e 2fficer,
sa#s in !otal=ina;lf+s -orporate Social 7esponsibilit# 4-S75 report( B!he $er# nature of our oil,
gas and chemicals operations has long re:uired us to factor en$ironmental, social and cultural
parameters into our industrial pro?ects /ithout this comprehensi$e approach, 'e 'ould not ha$e
been able to integrate or succeed in di$ersified, often comple* situations !his is the reason, for
e*ample, for our 'ell<established commitment to consensus<building and partnership 'ith local
communities, in particular in emerging countriesB
Identif#ing and contributing solutions is an integral component of broader -S7 In some cases,
!otal=ina;lf has to minimise the en$ironmental impact of its operations or products Its initiati$es
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can be cited here as an instance In other cases, !otal=ina;lf>s
broadened responsibilit# is reflected b# a positi$e contribution, as illustrated b# ad$ances in ne'
energies and local de$elopment
!he compan# 'or%s b# %eeping some broad areas in mind
2il and natural gas are essential components of energ# suppl# for e*isting and future generations
!heir optimum reco$er# necessitates the use of e$er more efficient technologies
@atural gas, in particular, is e*pected to help reduce dependence on carbon<intensi$e sources such
as coal for po'er generation
7ene'able energies 'ill graduall# supplement h#drocarbon resources if their cost can be reduced
through technological ad$ances and brea%throughs B/e pla# an acti$e role in de$eloping these
ne' sources of energ#, 'here our technological and mar%eting competencies are rele$antB, so
notes !otal=lf+s -S7 7eport 8998
/hen ma%ing technical, strategic and mar%eting decisions, !otal=ina;lf stri$es to tailor product
performance to the challenges of sustainable de$elopment across the life c#cle =uels, lubricants,
plastics and leading<edge materials are co$ered b# this approach
!otal=ina;lf forges harmonious, sustainable relations 'ith all host communities b# emphasising
dialogue and cooperation !hrough a number of partnerships, it supports local de$elopment, in
particular in the areas of healthcare, education and economic de$elopment
Promoting sustainable de$elopment also entails a commitment to controlling and curbing
greenhouse gas emissions, reducing releases and emissions of pollutants, carefull# managing the
'ater c#cle, rehabilitating industrial sites and protecting biodi$ersit#
!otal=ina;lf+s ethical commitment responds to specific issues related to the nature of the oil, gas
and chemicals industries 'hich entail operations in sensiti$e countries<or countries in challenging
situations<production, handling, transportation and processing of substances that are
indispensable to societ#, but also ha"ardous pollutants, and significant interaction 'ith
communities 'hose le$el of de$elopment $aries
!he compan# deals 'ith the tangible implications of its operations e$er# da# and the communit#
e*pects it to assume its responsibilities !o meet such e*pectations, an ;thics -ommittee 'as set
up in March 8991 It has fi$e members, one for the parent compan# and one each for the
;*ploration O ProductionIGas O Po'er, 7efining O Mar%eting, !rading, and -hemicals
businesses 2ne member>s term e*pires each #ear !he -ommittees main tas%s are to( promote the
shared $alues and action principles in the -ode of -onduct to emplo#ees and people outside
!otal=ina;lf, ensure that the -ode is understood and implemented, and pro$ide emplo#ees 'ith
the assistance the# need to resol$e ethical issues that ma# arise in the course of business
!he modern societ# is increasingl# turning its attention to en$ironmental ste'ardship, industrial
ris%s and public health concerns Such issues are the focus of !otal=ina;lf+s sustainable
de$elopment process !his incorporates ambitious ob?ecti$es for reducing en$ironmental
pollution and conser$ing energ# and natural resources as 'ell as initiati$es to reduce the health
impact of its operations
!he safet# of people and plants is another priorit# of the group !his priorit# is dri$ing
impro$ements in the management of technological ris%s, an ob?ecti$e embraced b# all emplo#ees
1t the same time, to meet gro'ing energ# demand, !otal=ina;lf continuousl# inno$ates in a 'ide
$ariet# of fields, such as e*tending the lifetime of oil and natural gas reser$es, enhancing
reco$er# from mature fields de$eloping hea$# oils, and e*ploring the deep offshore In the
interests of di$ersif#ing the energ# s#stem, it is also acti$el# de$eloping rene'able energies
!otal=ina;lf commits significant technical resources and confronts ma?or en$ironmental, social,
economic and geopolitical challenges 'here$er it operates 2il and gas fields are often located in
countries 'here the socio<political en$ironment re:uires heightened a'areness as a result of
underde$elopment, inter<communit# tensions, and go$ernance and ci$il liberties issues Such
comple* situations entail often<difficult :uestions form informed sta%eholders, and can e$en
generate considerable contro$ers# !otal=ina;lf de$otes ongoing concern to these issues, being
full# a'are of sta%eholder e*pectations It strongl# belie$es that slogans and precepts are not
solutions !he ans'er lies in dialogue as 'ell as appropriate social, economic and educational
support initiati$es
In emerging countries, fairness re:uires that the future of neighgouring, often $er# disad$antaged,
communities is ta%en into account !his is also an operating re:uirement, because of the $er#
serious ris% of social instabilit# that can be created b# pro?ect de$elopment for both these reasons
!otal=ina;lf teams in these challenging areas are often among the first to percei$e the scale of the
problems in$ol$ed and to tr# to remed# them, through medical, technical and economic
assistance
!otal=ina;lf operates in a 'ide $ariet# of disciplines in more than 189 countries 'orld'ide,
dealing 'ith an e*tensi$e range of situation !his di$ersit# represents an opportunit# for the
compan#, bringing it into contact 'ith a broad arra# of cultures, competencies and e*pectations
/hate$er the conditions that pre$ail locall#, it, ho'e$er, conducts its operations in compliance
'ith its -ode of -onduct and standards, ta%ing into account cultural differences
It e*periences di$ersit# as both a core challenge and a core responsibilit# It has t'o central
strengths in this area !he first is the recent successful completion of the merger of ;lf and
!otal=ina, a uni:ue pro$ing ground 'here it combined teams and cultures and selected the best
practices including those in human resources Second, its deep roots in ;urope<'here three out of
its four emplo#ees 'or% . allo' the compan# to benchmar% against pro$en labour relations
practices and e*pectations
/hile it al'a#s bears in mind local factors, its e*perience 'ith the merger and also demanding
standards are the foundations on 'hich the compan# is building its international e*pansion,
le$eraging the specific cultural features of the countries in 'hich it operates
HSBC at the oreront
Ekram Kabir
If holding 'or%shop oil mone# laundering pre$ention is a social responsibilit#, the Cong%ong and
Shanghai Ban%ing -orporation 4CSB-5 Aimited in Bangladesh has done a plent# of it CSB-, in
association 'ith Bangladesh Ban%>s 1nti<Mone# Aaundering 6epartment, organised a da#<long
'or%shop on BMone# Aaundering Pre$entionK in Barisal in Nune this #ear
1part from ma%ing people a'are of the problem of mone# laundering, the #ear 8993 has alread#
been :uite a fruitful #ear for CSB- as far as its corporate social responsibilit# 4-S75 is
concerned !he Ban% undertoo% a blood donation dri$e 'ith Sandhani, a $oluntar# institution of
medical and dental students, 6ha%a Medical -ollege in 6ha%a and Bangladesh 7ed -rescent
Societ# in -hittagong in Ma# 8993 at its branches 1 total of GG ban%ers ill 6ha%a and 8G in
-hittagong donated blood to Sandhani and B7-S !he ban%ers ensured that the safest possible
blood 'ould be a$ailable 'hene$er and 'here$er needed < for blood centres in 6ha%a and
-hittagong
It also donated !% 89F,8G9 to the Shishu Polli Plus in Sreepur, a pro?ect pro$iding food,
accommodation, education, $ocational training and securit# to 4,G children and 11G destitute
mothers from all o$er Bangladesh Besides, the ban% made another donation of !% 199,999 to
help $ictims of the cold 'a$e that s'ept Bangladesh earlier this #ear !he mone# 'as donated to
purchase high protein biscuits, blan%ets and second hand clothing and distribute them to $arious
districts across Bangladesh
1t that time, 6a$id NC Griffiths, the -;2 of CSB- in Bailgla4esh, reportedl# said( BIn line 'ith
CSB->s commitment ma%ing contributions to charitable e$ents at organisations, this contribution
to the 7ed -ross 'ill pro$e beneficial to the unfortunate $ictims of the cold 'a$e and help the
$er# need# of the countr#B
In the same month, CSB- assisted in organising and conducting a series of acti$ities for the
public at the -entre for the 7ehabilitation of the Paral#sed 4-7P5 in Sa$ar to raise a'areness
about road safet#, promote the 'or% of the -PP as 'ell as pro$ide an en?o#able da# for -7P
residents
!he CSB- -;2 inaugurated the e$ent b# planting a tree at the ne' 14,499 s:uare feet medicinal
plant herbarium 3nder its global )In$esting in @ature> Programme, CSB- pro$ided G99
seedlings to tile herbarium pro?ect, 'hich 'ill offer -7P a potential income source as supplier of
medicinal herbs, a bio<di$ersit# preser$ation area and a centre for national and international
academicIresearch institutions to conduct research on medicinal plants
!here>s more to the ban%>s contribution in the countr#>s en$ironment sector 1s part of its donation
and communit# sponsorship programme for 8991, the CSB- ga$e a che:ue for !a%a 189,999 to
the Bangladesh -entre for 1d$anced Studies 4B-1S5 in 8991 to help spread en$ironment
a'areness among children in the primar# education sector of Bangladesh
Mean'hile, this #ear, CSB- has adopted the ;:uator Principles to help the Group assess the
en$ironmental and social impact of commercial lending proposals !his 'ill reinforce the ban%>s
long established en$ironmental and social ris% e$aluation process and its position as one of the
leading companies in en$ironmental impact management !he ;:uator Principles are a set of
$oluntar# guidelines de$eloped b# ma?or international ban%s, that establish a common
frame'or% to address the en$ironmental and social issues that arise 'hile financing pro?ects !he
guidelines also attempts at ensuring that the# are reali"ed according to sound en$ironmental
management practices
In 1998, CSB- became a founder signator# of the 3@ ;n$ironment Programme+s Statement b#
=inancial Institutions on the ;n$ironment and Sustainable 6e$elopment In 8991, it became a
corporate member of the 3@ Global -ompact that challenges companies to demonstrate progress
in supporting and ad$ancing its principles in three areas . labour standards, human rights and
en$ironmental responsibilit#
CSB->s In$esting in @ature programme, a EG9 million partnership 'ith //=, Botanic Gardens
-onser$ation International 4BG-I5 and ;arth'atch, demonstrates its commitment to the
en$ironment It 'ill clean up three ri$ers, benefiting G9 million people 'ho depend upon them,
help sa$e 89,999 rare plant species from e*tinction,
1long 'ith helping the blind, the CSB- donated !% 899,999 to S117- /omen>s 1ssociation ill
September last Interestingl#, it donated mone# in photograph# !he bati% donated !% G9,ooo to
>2ut of =ocus>, a group of 11 #oung underpri$ileged photographers supported b# 67I0 since
1994
2ut of =ocus> has arranged se$eral e*hibitions ill Bangladesh and o$erseas, the# are also in the
business of pro$iding photograph#, $ideo and e*hibition support ser$ices
!he CSB- is also at the forefront in gi$ing out a'ards =ollo'ing enthusiastic responses o$er the
past three #ears, the 4th CSB- Loung I! ;ntrepreneur 1'ards 'as launched last month to inspire
creati$it# among #oung people in Cong0ong and culti$ate their interest ill entrepreneurship In
1ugust this #ear, it agreed to grant C067 million in scholarships, bursaries and other
de$elopment a'ards to 399 students for the current academic #ear
!he a'ards co$er a 'ide range of studies and include scholarships and bursaries, a one<#ear
o$erseas stud# scheme as 'ell as a -hina career de$elopment a'ard programme for
undergraduate students, and all e*change programme bet'een students
e!overnment or better productivity
Ekram Kabir
7eports from Srinagar said last !hursda# that Indian state of Nammu and 0ashmir had ?ust
become that countr#>s second state after 1ndhra Pradesh, to introduce $ideo conferencing facilit#
and eGo$emance in go$ernment administration !he facilities are e*pected to help impro$e
efficienc#, and ensure effecti$e monitoring and super$ision of 'or%s in all the regions of the
state
In phases, the Indian go$ernment 'ould e*tend the facilit# to all district head:uarters in the state
It is e*pected to help the senior officers at Secretariat to monitor de$elopment schemes at district
le$el, listen to public grie$ances and interact 'ith locals It 'ould also cut administration>s tra$el
time and costs besides bringing efficienc# in 'or% culture and enabling departments to follo' up
cases 'ith -entral go$ernment ministries
!his is ho' the go$ernment in that countr# is tr#ing to offer better public ser$ices through
ego$ernance India is not alone in this field ;$en the technologicall# de$eloped countries, 'hich
ha$e started the process of introducing ego$ernance, are still tr#ing to impro$e the s#stem b#
offering more up<todate facilities to their peoples ego$ernance is also becoming important in
bilateral ties, especiall# in trade relations among countries across the 'orld Nust recentl#, the
;uropean 3nion had set out a ne' roadmap for the future cooperation, through ego$ernance,
bet'een ;urope and -hina 1nd that>s ho' ego$ernance is becoming a part and parcel of future
strategic planning
3nfortunatel#, $er# little is being done in Bangladesh Public administrators here are neither
being computer literate on their o'n nor are the# letting someone teach them !he# are failing to
understand that the# are re:uired to impro$e efficienc#, producti$it# and :ualit# of their ser$ices
!he# are also failing to understand that citi"ens e*pect Bser$iceB from them -ommercial units
also, on the other hand, are increasingl# 'anting administrati$e burden to be reduced, so that the#
can be more> competiti$e
!he problem in Bangladesh is that its public administration suffers from the lac% of producti$it#
Information and communication technologies 4I-!5 can help them to cope 'ith this challenge In
doing so, the focus should not be on I-! itself Instead, it should be oil the use of I-! combined
'ith organisational change and ne' s%ills 'ith a $ie' to impro$ing public ser$ices, democratic
processes and public policies !his is called eGo$ernment
eGo$ernment is not a goal in it self It is a tool for public sector reform, enabling the public sector
to strengthen good go$ernance in the %no'ledge<based societ# !his means(
=irstl#, a public sector that is open and transparent 1dministrations should be more
understandable and accountable to citi"ens
Secondl#, a public sector that is at the ser$ice for all 1 user<centred public sector 'ill, e*clude
no one from its ser$ices and respect e$er#one as an indi$idual, b# pro$iding personalised
ser$ices
!hird a producti$e public sector< that deli$ers ma*imum $alue for ta*pa#ers> mone#
!he ob?ecti$es are :uite ambitious, but not unachie$able 1lread# practices in man# countries
sho' that ego$ernment is a po'erful means indeed to deli$er better :ualit# public ser$ices,
reduce 'aiting times and impro$e cost effecti$eness raise producti$it# and impro$e
transparenc# and accountabilit#
Producti$it# matters+ in the public sector as much as an#'here else in the econom# Producti$it#
gro'th is the onl# sustainable source of increase in real incomes and 'elfare 1 more producti$e
public sector means better use of public finance, through higher efficienc#
1 more producti$e public sector 'ill also benefit the pri$ate sec<,i, and ma%e companies more
competiti$e B# ego$ernment, one can cut the red tape that is bother<companies More
competiti$e B# eGo$ernment, one can cut the red tape that is bothering companies Increased
producti$it# means more time for personal contact, less standing in line, less time in front of the
screen
1 fe' e*amples of increased producti$it# and efficienc# are(
!he national public procurement agenc# in 6enmar% has double its producti$el# and
completel# eliminated complaints, through electronic tendering
!he 7omanian national procurement s#stem reports sa$ings of 89 per cent
!he S'edish Hirtual -ustoms 2ffice processes 99 per cent of all declarations electronicall#
and deals through automated clearance for 79 percent of the declarations 'ithin three
minutes
1ccordingl# eGo$ernment has a pro$en trac% record that it can help public administrations to be
come more producti$e and offer personali"ed ser$ices for all, in an open and transparent 'a# Its
can go gar be#ond bringing ser$ices online, pro$ided that public administrations adapts their
organi"ation and ac:uire ne' s%ills
/hat is needed in Bangladesh is a change of mindset to'ards a public ser$ice that puts the
citi"ens at the center !he public administration should be enabled to be an acti$e contributor to
economic and societal progress Political leadership and commitment are essential, in order to
%eep the longer term $ision in mind 2nl# a handful of I! managers 'on+t do& Bangladesh needs
eBureaucrats
"roiting some more rom the society#
Ekram Kabir
!he adoption of corporate social responsibilit# 4-S75 b# companies could he seen in terms of
their 'illingness to do e*actl# 'hat the consumers pa# for < b# ma%ing the business more
successful and more competiti$e !hrough this process, one can boost the organisational goals
-ompanies contribute a lot of mone# in games and sports as part of their -S7 initiati$es But,
man# 'ould :uestion their ob?ecti$es <is it mere promotion of sports or ?ust enhancing one>s
organisational goalD Some corporate gurus sa# that both can be true
!here is no dearth of sports fans in tile 'orld 'ho set up their schedules according to the dates of
important sports tournaments, 'ho read sports pages e$er#da#, and tune in to sports sho's on
tele$ision and radio to learn more about their fa$ourite sports personalities
Sports are en?o#ed b# millions of people all o$er the 'orld Sports industr# is a big business 1n
estimate sa#s total re$enues generated b# sports in the 3S and -anada 4from tic%et sales to
purchases of sports e:uipment5 'ere more than E,,1Gbn in 199G, and rose to E1F9bn b# the turn
of the centur# It 'as estimated that, b# 8999, @orth 1merican firms 'ere spending E13,bn on
ad$ertising through sports alone 'hile global sports ad$ertising reached E439bn
!he tele$ision rights to the 3S @ational =ootball Aeague for 1999<1994 earned @=A E43Fbn
@i%e>s total sales in the 3S 'ere E473bn iii 1994 EF99m came through Michael Nordan branded
bas%etball shoes alone In 1993, @i%e spent almost E99m on ad$ertising and mar%eting
=ootball is often branded people>s gameB, #et for man#, attending an#, premiere tournament is
simpl# be#ond their means !he -helsea $ersus 1ston Hilla game in ;ngland at the beginning of
199F<1997 season 'itnessed some 8,,999 attendants, each attendant pa#ing P89 !here 'as no
concession for children either<the# also paid P89
2n 14 September 199F, !he Guardian carried a report on the finances of ;ngland+s biggest club,
Manchester 3nited( J2f 3nited+ PF9m turno$er last season, P83 came from one surprising source(
merchandising e$er#thing from replica shirts and $ideos to boo%s and lampsK 3nited+s Maga"ine
is the biggest selling sports monthl# in 30 'ith a circulation of 149,999 copies In !hailand, it
sells 49,999 copies per month in !hai language Its first print in @or'egian recentl# sold out
9,999 copies in a 'ee% 2n 1F September 199F, !he Independent reported that the income from
satellite tele$ision alone meant that ;ngland>s Premier Aeague clubs 'ould earn PF79 in bet'een
199F and 8991
NH-, =u?i and -anon, each sponsored 3S1 1994 to the tune of P89m Son# -reati$e Products had
e*clusi$e mar%eting rights to the Soccer /orld -up 199, finals and 6entsu controlled a 49 per
cent sta%e in ISA 'orld'ide < the mar%eting arm of =I=1 Such is the relationship bet'een
sports<corporate business and -S7
But e*perts thin%s there is another hidden relationship 1s ;ngland progressed to'ards the
semifinals of ;uro 199F, !he =inancial !imes carried out a sur$e# of big business reaction to the
euphoria s'eeping ;ngland Neff =orest of Sheffield based in !empered Spring reported(
B;ngland>s performance has gi$en people a lift 1 happ# 'or%force is a better 'or%forceB Peter
Aouce, manager of an automoti$e plant, belie$es that a run of ;ngland $ictories 'ill lead to
higher producti$it#
=or a $ast ma?orit#, sport is something the# en?o# It ser$es as it essential escape mechanism in
their li$es =or some it can become the means of clambering out of po$ert# =or others,
participation in sports gi$es dignit# to life =or millions of people sports seem to pro$ide an
escape from the drudger# of e$er#da# life =or man# more, 'atching sports, either li$e or on
tele$ision, pro$ides a release from 'or% pressure and a sense of identification 'ith an indi$idual
or club 'hich seems to pro$ide meaning to their li$es
Aeisure is seen b# man# as, something distinct from 'or%, something to be earned as recompense
for a )fair da#+s 'or%+ @o' 'ouldn+t putting mone# in games and sports be commodif#ing and
distorting the desire for escape and real human contact, 'hich dra's people to sports in the first
placeD =or instance, one of the often<:uoted en?o#ments of attending a football or a cric%et match
is being part of the cro'd Let, at its best, a cro'd cannot be a substitute for the genuine fraternal
feelings of human beings Aiberated human beings, 'ho are also autonomous indi$iduals, can
onl# de$elop these feelings NM Brohm in his BSport( 1 Prison of Measured !imeB 'rote( BSport
restores to man%ind some of the functions 'hich the machine has ta%en a'a# from him, but onl#
to regiment him remorselessl# in the ser$ice of the machineB
Sports, despite the perception of participants and spectators, come under the realm of >unfree
acti$it#> !he rationalit# of production, based on commodit# e*change, reduces all indi$idualit#
to a minimum It organises and controls people not onl# in their 'or% but also in their leisure
1nother e*pert said( B1musement in ad$anced capitalism is the e*tension of 'or% It is sought
after b# those 'ho 'ish to escape the mechanised 'or% process in order to be able to face it
againB !he promise of sport is the liberation of the bod#, he said, humiliated b# economic
interests, the return to the bod# of a part of the functions of 'hich it has been depri$ed b#
industrial societ#
Sports ideolog#, li%e all ideologies, conceals the real structure of producti$e and social relations
!his ideolog# ma%es people belie$e that sportsmen and sports'omen are free and e:ual !his
ran%s them into different grades and categories !he hero, according to this ideolog#, is one 'ho
is self<made>, 'ho achie$es great heights on the basis of hisIher merit and through hisIher o'n
efforts !he message that is being transferred to people is that an#one can ma%e it to the ton
!he realit#, ho'e$er, is different !eenagers, 'ho become professional football pla#ers, are not
necessaril# the >best> or >most talented> pla#ers !he# are often those that are most prepared to
accept the tight discipline and intensi$e training demanded of them 6iscipline and training in
modern sports often e:ual a massi$e distortion of the human bod#, 'hich can lead to all sorts of
horrors
In a po'erful indictment of the 'orld of 'omen>s g#mnastics and figure s%ating, Noan 7#an
reports in !he Guardian of Aondon( B/hat I found 'as a stor# about legal, e$en celebrated child
abuse In the dar% troughs along the road to the 2l#mpics la# the bodies of the girls 'ho stumbled
on the 'a#, bro%en b# the 'or%, pressure and humiliation 1 found a girl 'hose father left the
famil# 'hen she :uit g#mnastics at the age of 13, 'ho scraped her arms and legs 'ith ra"ors to
dull her emotional pain and 'ho needed a t'o<hour pass from a ps#chiatric hospital to attend her
high school graduationB
Such is the condition of these girls 'ho bro%e their nec%s and bac%s, 'ho so desperatel# see% the
perfect, 'eightless g#mnastic bod# that the# star$e themsel$es to death 2thers become so
obsessi$e about controlling their 'eight that the# lose control of themsel$es instead !here are
cases that are se*uall# coaches>
@o', 'hat is -S7 to li%e NH-, =u?i and -anonD 1ren+t the# selling more, sa#, tele$ision, sets,
'hen the# are contribution mone# in a 'orld<cup tournamentD -ontributing mone#, e$en in the
2l#mpics, in this manner oil#, sho's that the# ha$e a definite ob?ecti$e in mind !he more the#
hold tournaments li%e these, the more their products sell If that be the case, the meaning of -S7
doesn>t onl# mean to gi$e Bsome of the profits bac% to societ#B, it rather means Bprofiting some
moreB from the societ#
$ welcome step to make %&Cs legally accountable
Ekram Kabir
!he 3@ sub<commission for the promotion and protection of human rights last month adopted a
draft code of conduct on corporate practice 'hich is e*pected to ma%e certain corporate
responsibilities of multinational companies similar to those of go$ernments B# doing so, the 3@
'anted the authorities to tac%le issues such as bad 'or0II1g conditions for emplo#ees in poor
countries, or instances 'here firms run roughshod o$er local communities 'hile building ne'
plants, pipelines etc
Co'e$er, it 'ould ta%e some time before the ne' rules < called @orms on the 7esponsibilities of
!ransnational -orporations<appl# @G9s including the 1mnest# International and the Cuman
7ights /atch 'elcomed this mo$e But difficult issues of interpretation 'ould remain 1 ?oint
statement had said( B-lear international standards 'ill help ensure that business 'ill be part of the
solution to toda#>s problems and not < %no'ingl# or un%no'ingl# < e*acerbate themB
B!he norms help to le$el the pla#ing field for companies that 'ant to do the right thing for human
rights @o' e$er# compan#>s obligations are detailed and no compan# can sa# that it doesn>t ha$e
responsibilities in the area of human rights,B 1r$ind Ganesan, director of Cuman 7ights /atch>s
corporate responsibilit# 4-S75 di$ision, 'as :uoted as sa#ing
Cuman rights issues ha$e come to the fore as - S7 practised b# the large corporations 2$er the
past ten #ears, there has been a phenomenal gro'th in pri$ate sector interest in human rights
;arlier, it 'as difficult to ma%e companies understand that human rights 'ere rele$ant to the
business 'orld !oda#, o$er 799 companies are participating in the 3@>s Global -ompact, 'hich
lists human rights as one of the nine principles to 'hich signatories must commit
-S7 and human rights issues feature prominentl# on the agenda of the /orld ;conomic =orum
4/;=5 1 number of large, 'ell<%no'n corporations ha$e made e*plicit the 'ritten commitment
to respect human rights in $oluntar# codes Cuman rights groups, these da#s, are also in$ited to
the /;= meetings
But, 'hile interest might be 'idespread, serious commitment to human rights has been patch#,
sa#s a report of the 1mnest# International !here are a fe' in the corporate sector 'ho ha$e
adopted and applied human rights principles in their business out of genuine con$iction But more
often the shift has come through public e*posure and scandal Nust as disasters li%e ;**on Halde"
in 1las%a and the disposal of the Brent Spar platform brought en$ironmental concerns into the
limelight Cuman rights reall# popped onto companies> radar screens as a result of crisis
!he e*ecution of the 2goni 9 in @igeria and the conduct of pri$ate securit# firms in -olombia
con$inced oil giants Shell and BP to ta%e human rights concerns on board ;$idence lin%ing
diamonds from Sierra Aeone 'ith the reprehensible armed opposition group, the 7e$olutionar#
3nited =ront, and its terror tactics of amputating the limbs of ci$ilians, brought the diamond
industr# to the table, to agree to a s#stem of international certification to 'eed out conflict o$er
diamonds 1llegations of profiting from s'eatshops in the suppl# chain forced apparel companies
to loo% at human rights concerns
!he %e# moti$ating factor in these cases 'as the e*posure and pressure b# @G9s and the ris% to
reputation @estlQ became a target of a bo#cott o$er its past policies promoting infant formula
o$er breast mil% Increased threat of litigation might also affect the 'a# companies loo% at human
rights -ape Plc 'as sued in the 30 on allegations of ha$ing e*posed its 'or%ers to asbestos in
South 1frica 3nocal, ;**onMobil and -oca -ola ha$e all faced la' suits for complicit# in
human rights $iolations in M#anmar, Indonesia and -olombia respecti$el#
2ne sur$e# last #ear sho'ed that onl# about 49 companies had e*plicitl# incorporated human
rights in their corporate polic# Se$eral studies ha$e sho'n that, at the board le$el, interest in
human rights and social issues is lo' In the present economic climate, some companies and
commentators are alread# tal%ing about -S7 and human rights as threats and unnecessar# costs
Man# companies still claim that human rights do not appl# to them because go$ernments, not
companies, sign treaties ;$en as the role and influence of companies ha$e been increasing in
people>s e$er#da# li$es, a concomitant s#stem for ensuring their accountabilit# has been missing,
ma%ing companies, particularl# M@-S, a special breed !he# commanded authorit# but lac%ed
responsibilit#& the# controlled $ast resources but did not ha$e so$ereignt# !he# operated in a
gre# "one at the international le$el 'here rules 'ere unclear and control 'as difficult 1rguabl#,
the# could do 'hat the# 'anted and got a'a# 'ith it& or the# could choose not to do 'hat the#
ought to do because the# had no clear legal obligation
But, as 'orld business and political leaders gathered in 6a$os, S'it"erland, for the 33rd annual
/;=, a coalition of en$ironmental, de$elopment, labour and human rights groups released a ?oint
report !he report documents the irresponsible en$ironmental, labour and human rights practices
committed b# ;**onMobil, @i%e, Mc6onald>s, 3nocal, 6oe 7un, =reeport McMoran and
@e'mont Mining Some of the practices described in the report are(
R 99 per cent of children in Aa 2ro#a, Peru, the site of a lead smeltering facilit# o'ned b# St
Aouis based 6oe 7un, ha$e bloodlead le$els abo$e acceptable le$els, and 89 per cent ha$e le$els
so high the# should re:uire hospitali<sation
1 -hinese manufacturer of Mc6onald>s Capp# Meal to#s emplo#s 13< #ear<olds to 'or%
1F<hour da#s for E3 a da#
!he 3@ dri$e to ma%e multinationals legall# accountable for their in$estment practices abroad,
including the adoption of acceptable labour and en$ironmental standards, is certainl# a 'elcome
first step, 'hose earl# implementation is li%el# to bear positi$e results
When ideals do not match deeds
Ekram Kabir
1 relati$el# ne' and rapidl# de$eloping phenomenon, corporate social responsibilit# 4-S75, is
primaril# about businesses ploughing bac% a part of their profit for the 'elfare of the societ#
-S7 is also a commitment of businesses to contribute to sustainable economic de$elopment and
'or% 'ith emplo#ees and their families, the local communit# and the societ# to impro$e the
:ualit# of life
/hen a business pa#s bac% to the societ#, 'hat is or 'hat should be the nature of this processD
6o -S7s al'a#s ha$e to be charit#D 2r should -S7s mean the o$erall de$elopment of the
societ#D 2ne of the best e*amples that can be cited for this is the Mc6onald>s <one of the most
popular food chains based in the 3S Aast #ear, the Mc6onald>s announced ne' global health#
lifest#le initiati$es, including a commitment to de$elop ne' BCapp# MealB options, the
establishment of an e*pert 1d$isor# -ouncil on Cealth# Ai$es, and collaborations 'ith the /orld
Cealth 2rganisation and the 3S 6epartment of Cealth and Cuman Ser$ices to help educate
consumers about the role of nutrition and fitness for maintaining good health
1s far as -S7 initiati$es are concerned, this certainl# is a $er# big step ta%en b# the 3S food
giant !here are man# such companies 'hich ha$e, of late, become conscious of the 'ell<being of
the people 'ho are their client consumers But 'hat if a certain product of a compan# <'hich
contributes a lot of mone# to social acti$ities li%e games and sports, librar# initiati$es etc <
negati$el# affects the consumers healthD /ould that still be a good e*ample of social
responsibilit#D
In the 3S, for e*ample, food corporations and the local go$ernment are alleged to be deepl#
ent'ined in a dietar# conspirac# Aast #ear a group of o$er'eight 1mericans sued four fast<food
giants accusing them of %no'ingl# ser$ing meals that cause obesit# and disease !he# claimed
that Mc6onald>s, Burger 0ing, /end#>s, and 0entuc%# =ried -hic%en had misled consumers b#
enticing them 'ith greas#, salt#, and sugar# meals !he food giants came out of the la'<suit, but
since then, the# ha$e become :uite conscious so that their meals don>t cause an# disease
In 1997, 1mericans spent more than EG4 billion on 14bn gallons of soft drin% !he a$erage
teenage bo# gulped do'n 19 o" dail# <more than a can and a half, as Pi""a Cut regularl# supplies
school meals !he conse:uences of this glutton# are ob$ious( in the 3S nearl# 18 per cent of
bo#s and 11 per cent of girls are obese 1mericans spend more than E1 19bii on fast food each
#ear and, on an# gi$en da#, almost one in four 'ill $isit a fast food restaurant
Nun% food, argue its defenders, is nothing li%e as addicti$e or as harmful as tobacco But, as the
British @utrition =oundation points out, 'eight, once gained, is notoriousl# hard to lose 1nd
childhood 'eight patterns strongl# predict adult ones In 1merica, the number of o$er'eight
children has doubled since 19,9 'hile obesit# figures among adolescents ha$e tripled 1nd since
1999, 1merican ph#sicians began reporting an alarming rise in children the obesit#<lin%ed
t#pe<t'o diabetes 2nce an obese #oungster de$elops diabetes, he or she 'ill ne$er get rid of it
@o', if this is the conse:uence of the business of these food giants, 'hat 'ould the spending of a
great deal of mone# on running orphanages or funding hospitals reall# meanD
1gain, the Pollution Monitoring Aab of the -entre for Science and ;n$ironment 4-S;5 in India,
reportedl#, found 18 popular brands of cold drin%s in the 6elhi mar%et to contain organochlorine
and organophosphorus pesticides, and s#nthetic p#rethroides !he scientists ha$e also detected
66! in some of these brands !hese deadl# elements, -S; scientists said, damage the human
bod#>s central ner$ous s#stem as 'ell as immune s#stem and are confirmed carcinogens
2rganophosphorus pesticide is highl# dangerous for mothers<to<be and babies as it is a suspected
neuroteratogen that causes malformations in foetuses
2n the other hand, the cold drin<producing companies in e$er# countr# do spend huge amounts
on social charities, popularl# %no'n as -S7 in the corporate 'orld !he# support communit#
de$elopment, build infrastructures, raise funds for sic% and the disabled etc Cere lies the
contradictions Co' 'ould the societ# benefit from a corporation>s social responsibilit# 'hen its
products are ad$ersel# affection people>s healthD
!his merits e*tensi$e stud# and anal#sis -S7 acti$ities of arms producing corporations < li%e
Smith O /esson etc < also call for comprehensi$e anal#sis Aocated mostl# in the /est, the
arms<producing corporations contribute immensel# to social sector de$elopment @o', these are
$er# good corporations( the# ta%e care of their emplo#ees, their families, the local communit#
and societ# But, on the other hand, the products the# manufacture are ultimatel# being used for
%illing people 1ccording to Gene$abased Small 1rms Sur$e#, since 1991, about 19,999 or more
deaths ha$e ta%en place each #ear due to illegal small arms
It is in this bac%drop, it is necessar# that corporate gurus ma%e a good assessment of these
contrasting ideals, highlighting the rele$ance of corporate social responsibilit# B# doing so,
ans'ers to man# of these :uestions and confusions 'ould be found
Criminalisation
said the political parties, 'hich ruled the countr# during the last 39 #ears, patroni"ed terrorism
and $iolence
"reparing a roadmap or the poorest
Ekram Kabir
1t the 6a$os /orld ;conomic =orum in 1999, 3@ General Secretar# 0ofi 1nnan called upon
multinational companies to promote and respect human rights and decent labour and en$iron<
mental standards 'ithin their o'n spheres of acti$it#, on a $oluntar# basis and on their o'n
initiati$e Business leaders and -;9s across the 'orld responded positi$el# to 1nnan>s call 6an
Haselia, President and -hief ;*ecuti$e 2fficer of @o$artis, 'as also one of them 'ho 'elcomed
1nnan>s call for a BGlobal -ompactB bet'een the 3@ and the inter< national pri$ate sector to
promote human rights, better labour conditions, and en$ironmental protection
@o$artis has thus endorsed the promotion and obser$ance of these basic rights It has officiall#
?oined the Global -ompact, as its 4Global -ompact5 nine principles are integral part of a
business>s social responsibilit#
/hile supporting the Global -ompact, the @o$artis =oundation for Sustainable 6e$elopment has
so far been in$ol$ed mainl# in t'o areas( 4a5 support for sustainable lepros# It emplo#s measures
that de$elopment in poor countries of the southern hemisphere through concrete de$elopment
cooperation& and 4b5 contribution to de$elopment polic# discussions, b# elaborating and
pro$iding scientific anal#ses and b# organising public e$ents
!he second area of acti$it# sho's that @o$artis aims to impro$e people>s li$ing conditions not
onl# through specific de$elopment support at the local le$el, but also b# becoming in$ol$ed in
the de$elopment polic# discussions at the national and international le$els Its de$elopment
cooperation aims to bring about a change in order to impro$e the conditions of life for poor
people It means inter$ention in the e*isting social conditions and traditions to strengthen those
forces that promote the re:uired impro$ements @o$artis> pro?ects and programmes are adapted to
local conditions
@o$artis> main priorit# in the healthcare sector is to support de$eloping countries in combating
lepros# It emplo#s measures that complement efforts made b# de$eloping countries and the
international communit# in tac%ling the disease Its 'or% includes( destigrmatising lepros#
through inno$ati$e social mar%eting strategies& establishing appropriate ser$ices for earl#
diagnosis and cure, as 'ell as the ph#sical, ps#chological and social rehabilitation of people
suffering from lepros#& dissemination of basic e*perience and problem< sol$ing approaches
associated 'ith impro$ing access to multiple drug therap#& and strengthening the organisational
and management abilities of health<care staff as 'ell as diagnostic abilities of other healthcare
pro$iders
!he Sar$oda#a Mo$ement in SirAan%a is one of the most successful self<help organisations in the
'orld Its concept of rural de$elopment lin%s the principles of Buddhism such as, lo$ing %ind
ness, compassion, the ?o# of li$ing through ma%ing others happ# and e:uanimit# 'ith 'or% at
grassroots
In the past t'o #ears, !erre 6es Commes S'it"erland has been 'or%ing in !an"ania in a pilot
pro?ect funded b# the @o$artis =oundation !he organisation is in$estigating ho' ps#chosocial an
be de$eloped for 1I6S orphans 1part from man# communit# de$elopment pro?ects in Bra"il,
@o$artis is tr#ing to change li$es of 'omen in Palestine Since 199,, I6 the Ga"a Strip, the
-hristian Peace Ser$ice and the @o$artis =oundation ha$e supported a pro?ect aimed at
impro$ing li$ing conditions and enhancing the social position of the Palestinian refugee 'omen
!he Ga"a -ommunit# Mental Cealth Programme 4G-MCP5 has been in e*istence since 1999,
and is one of the leading @G9s in Palestine !he organisation specialises in pro$iding
information, publicit#, and pro?ect 'or% in the field of mental health It focuses on the effect, on
the population>s mental health of oppression and $arious forms of $iolence in e$er# area of
societ#
In man# de$eloping countries, the social s#stem is characterised b# a stratification based not onl#
on gender, but also on class 7ural Bangladesh presents an especiall# pronounced social
hierarch#, the economic and political po'er, is rooted primaril# in the o'nership of land
@o$artis found that the uppermost class, possessing fi$e acres or more of land, accounts for onl#
about ,99 per cent of all rural households in the countr#, #et it controls almost 4, per cent of all
the culti$able land
!his depiction of the @G2 landscape is problem<oriented and thus admittedl# one<sided
@e$ertheless it does reflect the nation>s e*perience, especiall# 'ith organisations that ha$e
recentl# disco$ered the Bgender angleB /hile e*amining a professionall# prepared application
for funding a pro?ect for the ad$ancement of rural 'omen in Bangladesh, for e*ample, on site
@o$artis found constellations of interests and po'er structures that made it appear more than
:uestionable 'hether its assistance 'ould end up benefiting the target groups
/hen it anal#sed the socio<economic bac%ground of the in the pro?ect area, it turned out that
man# of the 'omen did not belong to Bthe poorB in 'hose name funds 'ere being solicited
@eeds assessment re$ealed that the material and non<material pro?ect components to be financed
had little relation to the ob$ious needs of the poor !he budget presented, although in conformit#
'ith ministr#<le$el re:uirements for appro$al, 'as inade:uate for a realistic implementation of
the acti$ities purportedl# en$isaged
!he real frustration comes 'hen it is found that despite all the lessons learned there has been little
progress in changing the conditions of the impo$erished 'omen 1lso dissatisf#ing in the s#stem
of de$elopment cooperation is the 'idespread practice of gi$ing the responsibilit# of monitoring
and e$aluating efficienc#, effecti$eness, and rele$ance of pro?ects to the implementing agenc#
alone, 'ith the funds 1 donor organi"ation that de$iates from this practice has to e*peripnee>
substantial resistance
In the liglit of this e*perience, @o$artis has set up an organisation together 'ith capable 'omen
in Bangladesh to create an organisational frame'or% to reach the poorest of the poor
'mproving the (uality o human lie
Ekram Kabir
Gla*oSmit%0line 4GS05 is one of the 'orld>s leading pharmaceutical companies Its global :uest
is to impro$e the :ualit# of human life b# enabling people to do more, feel better and li$e longer
GS0>s strategic intent is to become the indisputable leader in the industr# < not simpl# in terms of
si"e, but also ho' it uses that si"e to achie$e its mission !hrough its Global -ommunit#
Partnerships function and -orporate 6onations -ommittee, GS0 partners 'ith and supports
organisations 'hose goals and ob?ecti$es reflect its mission of impro$ing the :ualit# of human
life
!he programme to eliminate l#mphatic filariasis is an initiati$e 'ith a bold ob?ecti$e( to eliminate
filariasis as a public health problem b# the #ear 8989 /ith more than one billion people at ris% in
about ,9 countries, l#mphatic filariasis is one of the leading causes of disabilit# in the 'orld
It is estimated that more than 3F million adults and children are li$ing 'ith CIHI1I6S 'ith
appro*imatel# 1G,999 more people being infected each da# Globall#, more than 81 million
people ha$e died from 1I6S, resulting in 138 million orphaned children GS0 has a histor# of
contributing to the fight against CIHI1I6S through the research and de$elopment of medicines to
treat the disease Let it recognises that additional initiati$es are needed to intensif# and accelerate
the response to MHI 1I6S
Positi$e 1ction is GS0>s international programme of CIH education, care and communit#
support !hrough the programme, GS0 'or%s in partnership 'ith indi$iduals, communit# groups,
healthcare pro$iders, go$ernments, international agencies and others, in order to pursue the
common goals of more effecti$e CIH pre$ention, education, enhanced care and support for
people li$ing 'ith, or affected b# CIHI1I6S Since its inception in 1998, Positi$e 1ction has
supported and implemented a 'ide $ariet# of pro?ects at both national and international le$els
1round 49 per cent of the 'orld>s population are at ris% from malaria and e$er# #ear up to 399
million people, the ma?orit# of them children under fi$e #ears, die as a result of the disease !he
1frican Malaria Partnership 41@!5 is GS0>s malaria communit# partnership programme Its aim
is to de$elop effecti$e malaria control beha$iours in 1frican communities 1frica has been chosen
as the focus for the programme because the greatest disease burden and the $ast ma?orit# of
malaria deaths occur on the continent 3SE1G million in grants 'ill be shared bet'een three
programmes o$er three #ears !he aim is to bridge the gap bet'een successful pilot programmes
and 'ider<scale implementation, rather than to encourage further, ne', pilot programmes
In @orth 1merica, Global -ommunit# Partnerships focuses on impro$ing access to better
healthcare 0e# characteristics that GS0 loo%s for in proacti$el# researching and identif#ing
programmes are( need, sustainabilit#, le$erage, measurable outcomes, partnership and inno$ation
=ulfillment of these criteria ensure that GS0>s progranunes ha$e the best chance of success for
those 'ho stand to benefit from the results Because of the emphasis placed on process<dri$en
management, the# also ensure that, if appropriate, successful programmes can be reproduced in
other similar communities
Internationall#, Global -ommunit# Partnerships focuses on pro$iding partnership funding for
health education and mobilisation 0e# characteristics that GS0 loo%s for in proacti$el#
researching and identif#ing programmes are( need, sustainabilit#, le$erage, measurable outcomes,
partnership and inno$ation =ulfillment of these criteria ensures that GS0>s programmes ha$e the
best chance of success for those 'ho stand to benefit from the results Because of the emphasis
placed on process<dri$en management, the# also ensure that, if appropriate, successful
programmes can be reproduced in other similar -ommunities
GS0>s PC1S; initiati$e 4Personal C#giene 1nd Sanitation ;ducation5 operates in 0en#a,
3ganda, @icaragua and Peru PC1S; pro$ides h#giene and sanitation education for school
children 'ith the aim of reducing diarrhoea<related diseases and deaths associated 'ith poor
h#giene
GS0 funds t'o health<impro$ement programmes for indigenous population communities in
1ustralia, one on !hursda# Island in the !orres Straits, the other in Gurring Lealamuc%a,
Larrabah, near -laims
!he compan# has pro$ided funds for a ne' CIHI1I6S clinic in the Maso#i tribal area of
Mpumalanga, South 1frica !he clinic is part of a three<#ear, P399,999 GS0 programme to
pro$ide a :ualit# continuum of care to all those in the region 'ho are infected and affected b#
CIHI 1I6S
March 8991 sa' the first graduates of GS0>s 7ural @ursing ;*cellence programme, 'hich
sponsors female high school graduates from rural areas to complete nursing degrees GS0 has
donated PG99,999 o$er fi$e #ears to train 899 nurses !he programme is run in partnership 'ith
the nursing colleges associated 'ith the Somedt Laa =oundation, the 6epartment of Public
/elfare and its International Support Group !he 6irector of nursing at the Ministr# of Public
Cealth acts as an ad$isor to the programme, 'hich is supported locall# b# GS0 in Bang%o%
1fter completion of their education, the nurses ta%e their s%ills bac% to their communities for at
least three to four #earsM
!he -oncern for -hildren !rust is a charit# established to promote the health and 'ell <being of
children in Pa%istan, 'ith specific focus on pre$enti$e and primar# healthcare and education
GS0 has pro$ided funding for healthcare screening and education for children in e*tremel#
lo'<income areas of 0arachi !he programme 'or%s to educate children and, through them, the
rest of the communit#
!he Cealth ;ducation for Mothers on Ma?or -hildhood 0illers programme completed its third
and final #ear of funding, GS0 has funded a nine<countr# initiati$e aimed at pro$iding mothers in
de$eloping countries 'ith the basic information needed to recogni"e the dangers signs of ma?or
childhood %illers and to respond in a timel# and appropriate manner
In Bangladesh, GS0 is continuing its support to a hospital 'ard and pla# corner for the leu%aemia
sufferer children in -hittagong Medical -ollege Cospital managed b# -hildren Aeu%aemia
1ssistance O Support Ser$ices 4-A1SS5 =or the third #ear in a ro', GS0 has organised
Cepatitis B 1ction /ee% 8998 in 2ctober to create a'areness among common people about a
deadl# $irus<Cepatitis B In 8998, GS0 targeted commuters of intercit# bus, train etc, and also
$isitors of superstores in all ma?or cities of the countr#
In Nune 8998, a special $accine a'areness campaign in press and tele$ision titled Haccination 'as
launched to raise a'areness about $accine pre$entable diseases 6r Geore 0omba<0ono,
Mission -hief and acting /orld Cealth 2rganisation 7epresentati$e in Bangladesh attended the
inaugural ceremon# of the campaign as -hief Guest
1lso in Bangladesh, GS0 is continuing its $accine a'areness programmes in association 'ith
different social 'elfare organisations li%e Sandhani, 7otar#, Aions and Badhon in different places
li%e go$ernment, semi<go$ernment, autonomous and pri$ate organisations
!o impro$e the health education of the common people of the region, the ci$il surgeon of
Naipurhat organised a Cealth =air GS0>s presence 'as $er# $isible in the fair in the campus of
Naipurhat Sadar Cospital from 6ecember 18 to 19, 8998 People learnt a lot from its stall about
the $accine pre$entable diseases
'mproving people)s lives
By Ekram Kabir
-orporate responsibilit#, as 3nocal sa#s, is fundamental to its core $alues B!he compan#>s $ision
is to impro$e the li$es of people 'here$er 'e 'or% b# promoting economic self<sufficienc#,
encouraging responsible and efficient use of resources, implementing fair emplo#ment standards
and 'or%ing conditions, see%ing to ad$ance human rights principles and impro$ing the :ualit# of
life,B sa#s -harles 7 /illiamson, the chairman and chief e*ecuti$e officer 4-;25 of 3nocal
1s a global compan#, 3nocal>s guiding principles affirm the compan#>s commitment to
responsible business practices in e$er# communit# in 'hich it 'or%s !he# are integral to its
-ode of -onduct and compliance programmes Implementation of these principles is %e# to
corporate responsibilit# at 3nocal Its principles in$ol$e all aspects of its business, including ho'
it relates to its emplo#ees and their families, to the people 'ho li$e near its operations, and to the
countries 'he# its operates and 'or%s
3nocal 'ants to conduct its business openl#, 'ith honest#, integrit# and trust It respects human
rights in all its acti$ities 1mong it communit# initiati$es, its encourages ad$ancements in ci$il
societ# 'here$er it conducts business !he compan# is :uite sensiti$e to the culture, conte*t and
needs of local communities and stri$es to ma%e the communit# a better place to li$e and conduct
business It also supports humanitarian initiati$es that promote health, education and
economic<'ell<being in communities 'here it 'or%s
;n$ironmental considerations are other aspects of 3nocal>s corporate responsibilit#, as it 'ants to
de$elop5 natural resources and pro$ide energ# in an efficient and en$ironmentall# responsible
manner It is also committed to ethical business practices, a safe 'or%place, compliance 'ith the
la' and impro$ing the communities in 'hich it 'or%s
3nocal>s energ# de$elopment operations ha$e human rights implications It generates economic
gro'th that gi$es political confidence and influence to the middle class people !he compan#
hires, trains and pro$ides ad$ancement opportunities for the citi"ens of its host countries It
introduces modern $alues and concepts, such as e:ual emplo#ment opportunit# regardless of
gender, race, ethnic bac%ground or religious preference 1nd, in %eeping 'ith its commitment to
impro$ing people>s li$es, it supports a 'ide $ariet# of humanitarian and philanthropic initiati$es
/illiamson sa#s( B3nocal has acti$el# supported communit# impro$ement pro?ects in
Bangladesh for se$eral #ears !he compan# has in$ested more than 199 million 3S dollars in its
communit# de$elopment pro?ects in the countr# 1 significant portion of 3nocal>s communit#
relations pro?ects are focused in the Greater S#thet 7egion 'ith special attention to education,
health care and social 'elfare programmesB
In se$eral S#lheti $illages near 3nocal>s operations, the compan# has sponsored reno$ations and
repairs and has donated furniture, boo%s, computer e:uipment and sport gears to man# schools
1mong the schools that ha$e recei$ed assistance from 3nocal are the Barasala, Baluchar, 0osba,
-ho%oria, Magurcharra 0haisa Ptingi and 7adhapur primar# schools !he compan# has also
pro$ided support to S#ed Catim 1li Cigh School in S#lhet, Hictoria Cigh School in Sriniangal
and Nonab 1ti -ollege in Baniachung
@ear the Nalalabad Gas Plant, the compan# has added a primar# school to S#ed Catim 1li Cigh
School and pro$ided furniture for the classrooms !he school is no' the second largest in S#lhet
'ith an enrolment of 8,999 students 3nocal also supports $arious educational programmes,
including seminars and debate competitions at a number of colleges in the region
!he compan# authorit# sa#s that it places a high priorit# on sponsoring organisations and
programmes that pro$ide healthcare ser$ices to communities !o $accinate children against polio
and other health problems, the compan# has pro$ided t'o motorboats and a four<'heel dri$e
truc% to the Immunisation and 2ther -hild Cealth 4I2-C5 organisation to reach remote
communities in the S#lhet area and else'here in Bangladesh
!he compan# is funding a targeted epidemic control pro?ect under the International -entre for
6iarrhoeal 6isease 7esearch Bangladesh 4I-667, B5 in the S#lhet area and other parts of the
countr# !he pro?ect monitors and controls outbrea%s of epidemics in these areas, maintains a
sur$eillance s#stem for cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases and assists the Ministr# of Cealth in
controlling morbidit# and mortalit# due to diarrhea
In 0ulaura, 3nocal has assisted the -entre for the 7ehabilitation of the Paral#sed 4-7P5 in refur<
bishing its rehabilitation centre in order to treat more patients 'ith spinal in?uries and other
disabling diseases
In Srimangal, 3nocal supports St Noseph -hurch, one of the region>s oldest churches !he church
operates a hospital t'o dormitories and 38 primar# schools that ser$e tribal 'or%ers in the tea
garden area !he oil compan# has donated funds and medicines to the church and its hospital It
has also helped to fund an e#e camp in the Srimangal area 'here surgeons perform e#e e*<
aminations and surgeries and pro$ide e#eglasses for the 1ocal population =urthermore, the
compan# has donated medical e:uipment and medicines to health clinics in Caripur
3nocal supports $arious organisations that pro$ide social 'elfare programmes for the benefit of
communities 2$er the #ears, it has funded $arious pro?ects at se$eral mos:ue and other religious
institutions throughout the S#lhet di$ision =or e*ample, in the 1lutol $illage located near the
Nalalabad Gas Plant, the compan# sponsored pro?ects to suppl# electricit# to t'o mos:ues In
S#lhet, 3nocal assisted 'ith construction pro?ects at the -hou%idhe%i temple and at a madrassa
!he compan# pro$ided funding to refurbish four mos:ues and t'o temples in Baniaehung @ear
the Naialabad Gas Plant, the compan# under'rote reno$ations and repairs for a mos:ue used b#
'or%ers at the Aa%atoorah !ea Garden
In the S#lhet area, 3nocal sponsored construction of homes for destitute families under Mother
!eressa>s Missionaries of -harit# organisation Its emplo#ees also helped to distribute blan%ets,
mos:uito nets and clothing to homeless people in S#lhet
!o support local cultural acti$ities, 3nocal has contributed to the Cabigan? Music and 1rts
1cadem# !he compan# has also sponsored a #outh cric%et coaching camp in S#lhet that 'as
organi"ed 'ith assistance from the Bangladesh -ric%et Board
Aast #ear, 3nocal entered into long<term alliances leading humanitarian organisation that are
dedicated to the principles articulated in 3nocal+s $ision Jto impro$e the li$es of people 'here$er
'e 'or%B !hese organi"ations, acti$e in an# of> the same regions as 3nocal, include Cabitat for
Cumanit# @ature -onser$anc#, the International Louth =und, and the International Aist, tutu for
the 7ights of the -hild !hrough these and other alliance, 3nocal e*pects to impro$e the
effecti$eness of its corporate responsibilit# acti$ities and help empo'er local communities in
countries li%e Indonesia, !hailand, M#anmar and Bangladesh
Catering or unmet needs
Ekram Kabir
=u?i Photo =ilm 3S1, Inc has been a corporate citi"en of the 3S since 19FG 6uring that time, as
=u?i has gro'n and prospered as a corporation, it has tried to pa# bac% to its communities through
sociall#<responsible business practices and an ongoing commitment to organisations,
programmes, and acti$ities that enhance the :ualit# of life for e$er#one
1t the national le$el in 1merica, =u?i supports partners and programmes that focus on preser$ing
the en$ironment 1t the local le$el, in the communities 'here =u?i 'or%s, the scope of its support
broadened to address the di$erse needs of the communities
!o maintain its social commitments, =u?ifilm supports acti$ities in se$eral areas li%e en$ironment,
arts and culture, and education
=u?i is committed to protecting and preser$ing nature>s beaut# and en$ironmental resources so
the# ma# be passed on to future generations !o maintain =u?i>s commitment to the en$ironment,
it follo's the 7educe, 7euse, and 7ec#cle motto 1s a result, it has( a reduced the amount of
sil$er used in color negati$e film b# more than half, and in color print paper b# about t'o<thirds&
b instituted a full<rec#cling program for Suic%Snap cameras 'hereb# the camera bod# is reused
or rec#cled& and c de$eloped a digital minilab < the =rontier < 'hich reduces chemical 'aste b#
39 per cent more than competiti$e technologies
In addition to these efforts, =u?ifilm supports en$ironmental initiati$es that encourage both
children and adults to $alue the natural 'orld and inspire them to preser$e it
=u?ifilm partnered 'ith the @ational /ildlife =ederation to sponsor B2ne /ild /ee%B at
Sea/orld and Busch Gardens !he e$ent dramatised the need to protect and preser$e animal
di$ersit# !o commemorate ;arth 6a# 8999 and the 7Gth anni$ersar# of the Bron* 7i$er Par%'a#
7eser$ation, /estchester>s first public par%, =u?ifilm donated and planted 41 cherr# trees at the
0ensico 6am Pla"a in Halhalla, @L =u?i Cunt 7olling Meado's, IA 'as one of fi$e chemical
companies to recei$e the 3S ;n$ironmental Protection 1genc#>s @ational ;n$ironmental
Performance !rac% 1chie$ement 1'ard
=u?ifilm belie$es in the po'er of art to delight and inform 1s a result, it supports man# cultural
acti$ities and programmes It hopes its contributions inspire all people < #oung and old < to ne'
le$els of creati$e e*pression and communication
!he compan# ser$es as a %e# sponsor of the annual free @e' Lor% Philharmonic outdoor concert
performed in /estchester -ount# !his e$ent dra's an estimated audience of 39,999 people each
#ear from all o$er the @e' Lor% -it# metropolitan area It sponsors BNammin> 'ith Nimm#,B an
annual fund<raising e$ent to support Louth !heatre Interactions, an after<school performing arts
programme that pro$ides artistic opportunities for #oungsters in a drug< and crime<free
en$ironment It has also sponsored man# sports e$ents across Bangladesh
=u?ifilm is an ad$ocate of educational opportunities for students at all grade le$els =u?ifilm offers
scholarship funds, supports reading readiness programmes, and aligns 'ith educational
organisations that use its products as tools for e*posing students to ne' methods of
communication and e*pression
!en thousand posters featuring Na%e, Alo#d of Star /ars fame 'ere under'ritten b# =u?ifilm and
distributed to schools and libraries across 1merica as part of the 1ssociation of 1merican
Publishers BGet -aught 7eadingB campaign to heighten interest in reading
-oordinated b# the Aos 1ngeles -ount# Museum and the =u?ifilm !echnical -entre,
B6isco$ering Photograph#B offered students a guided tour of the !echnical -entre in an effort to
increase understanding of digital and photographic imaging
In its local communities, =u?ifilm pro$ides ongoing support to health and human ser$ices that
enhance the :ualit# of life for people of all ages It contributes to programmes that assist the
elderl#, fight hunger and po$ert#, and address the unmet health needs of children
!o meet unmet needs of children in the @e' Lor% area, =u?ifilm has made a fi$e<#ear, EG99,999
commitment to help fund the Maria =erera -hildren>s Cospital and @e' !rauma -entre of the
/estchester Medical -entre !his state<of<the<art facilit# is e*pected to care for all children,
regardless of their economic status
1cross 1merica, there are thousands of =u?ifilm people helping to ma%e a difference 'here the#
li$e and 'or% Holunteering time, mone#, and products, these emplo#ees see% to better their
communities
'n the corporate hot water#
Ekram Kabir
!he -hristian 1id report in Nanuar# on corporate social responsibilit#, Behind the Mas% of
-orporate 7esponsibilit#, seems to ha$e opened up a stream of criticisms against big corporations
on their corporate conducts and business ethics It has also led the media in Southern hemisphere
to co$er -S7 issues 'ith a greater focus
Aast month, corporate 'eb<sites reported, :uoting the Business 7espect, a 3S financial 'ee%l#,
on the basis of findings b# the -atholic 1genc# for 2$erseas 6e$elopment 4-1=265 that
companies such as IBM, 6ell and Ce'lett<Pac%ard are purchasing components from firms,
sub?ecting emplo#ees to >atrocious conditions>
!he report co$ers places in Me*ico, -hina and !hailand, and sa#s that -1=26 has disco$ered a
range of breaches, including unsafe 'or%ing conditions, compulsor# o$ertime, illegall# lo' pa#
and depri$ation of basic entitlements
!he 1genc# said that the companies named all had codes of conduct for labour standards that fell
belo' 3@ standards IBM, for instance, 'as highlighted as failing to include pro$isions co$ering
the use of forced or child labour Co'e$er, IBM said in a statement( B/e are ta%ing steps to
reinforce this 'ith the suppliers, including updating our supplier agreement to include ne'
language that specificall# prohibits them from discriminating against emplo#ees and applicants
for emplo#ment because of race, colour, religion, se*, age, national origin or an# other legall#
protected statusB
Mean'hile, IBM 0orea officials ha$e been charged 'ith corruption =ort#<eight go$ernment and
IBM officials in 0orea ha$e been indicted in the in$estigation of corruption in the bidding on
go$ernment contracts IBM>s South 0orean affiliate, IBM 0orea, had 'on EGGni in contracts
from go$ernment allegedl# through briber# !he compan# has admitted that the actions too%
place, and e*pressed regret o$er the incident
2n the other hand, Ce'lett Pac%ard has 'on a discrimination la'suit in San =rancisco, 3S,
'here an emplo#ee that had been sac%ed for not supporting policies on di$ersit# had claimed
religious discrimination 7ichard Peterson, a long<time CP emplo#ee, had reacted against posters
promoting the compan#>s commitment to di$ersit# that featured an emplo#ee 'ho 'as ga# Ce
responded b# posting a public notice, dra'n from Isaiah in the Bible, declaring homose*ualit# as
a sin
CP had ta%en the posters do'n, but said that it had ne$er re:uired the litigant to change his
religious beliefs < onl# to sho' due respect and tolerance to co<'or%ers Peterson 'ould not
relent, so the compan# fired him !he claim that the firing represented discrimination on the
grounds of religion 'as re?ected b#> the court, sa#ing that an emplo#er does not need to
accommodate beliefs that 'ould lead to discrimination against others
Similarl#, former IBM emplo#ees ha$e begun legal action against the compan# claiming that the#
contracted cancer from e*posure to dangerous chemicals through their 'or% ma%ing microchips
and other electronic parts !he action, filed in -alifornia, is the first b# former emplo#ees of
electronics companies < but could potentiall# open the floodgates for hundreds of similar claims if
it turns out to be successful
!he focus of the case is on the protection for 'or%ers in >clean rooms> < a dust<free en$ironment
that the plaintiffs argue is designed to protect the electronic components but not the 'or%ers, 'ho
the# allege, are e*posed to a range of poisonous chemicals IBM authorities are disputing the suit,
sa#ing that it is not true that 'or%ers in such en$ironments contract cancer more than others
because of their 'or%ing conditions
;*amples of these t'o electronics giants point out some of the aspects < li%e rights issues and
en$ironmental issues < that are also being seriousl# considered as important ingredients of -S7
acti$ities 1nd the a'areness on these issues are being increasingl# felt in the corporate corridors
across the 'orld
!his is precisel# the reason 'h# the -;2 of Ce'lett<Pac%ard -arl# =iorina had told the recent
annual conference of the 30>s -onfederation of British Industr# that compan# directors ha$e to
lead b# e*ample in the 'a%e of the collapse of ;nron 7eferring to the spate of business scandals
that began 'ith ;nron, she said( BIt is greed pure and simpleB
$ year o soul*searching
Ekram Kabir
More companies across the 'orld prepared and produced social and en$ironmental reports in
8993 than in 8998 !he #ear 8993 'as also a #ear 'hen ne' tools and standards appeared 'ith
the 3nited @ations @orms on corporate social responsibilit# 4-S75 8993 has been :uite an
e$entful #ear for those in$ol$ed in, 'hat some corporate gurus sa#, the mo$ement for -S7
!he #ear 'as full of scandals and setbac%s, contro$ersies and debates 1t the start of 8993, the
@i%e $s 0as%# case got into full s'ing 'hen the 3S Supreme -ourt agreed to re$ie' the
-alifornia -ourt>s decision !he shoe and apparel giant 'as appealing that it can be sued for false
ad$ertising o$er a publicit# campaign it used to defend itself against accusations that its foot'ear
'as made in 1sian s'eatshops
Man# companies 'atched that a range of organisations that championed the principles behind
open disclosure 'eighed in to lobb# for the case to be defeated
In ;thiopia, @estlQ settled its claim against the go$ernment, agreeing to ta%e onl# E1Gm instead
of the EF2m it had initiall# demanded, and then immediatel# donating the sum to famine relief
in that countr# !he compan# had recei$ed a lot of negati$e publicit# for its action, although it
stuc% to its principle that a go$ernment should not be sent the signal that it can simpl# mo$e in
and nationalise a compan#>s operations 'ith no compensation 'hatsoe$er It had a strong point <
but lost the public s#mpath# nonetheless !he British Medical Nournal added fillip to its alread#
declining image b# alleging $iolations of codes of practice on bab# mil% substitutes
In the 30, BBusiness in the -ommunit#B launched the results of the first -S7 Inde*, ran%ing 188
participant companies based on their management of -S7 acti$ities !he inde* made :uite an
impact, 'ith a number of high<scoring companies celebrating their good performance 'ith
references to their 'ebsite and to their subse:uent reports 2n the other side, some lo'<scoring
companies 'ere compelled to respond <either to impro$e, or to attac% the inde* methodolog#
In 1merica, the momentum against companies associated 'ith the gro'ing problem of obesit#
increased, 'ith a second la'suit against Mc6onald>s Some of the o$er'eight citi"ens of @e'
Lor% decided the compan#>s ad$ertising had mislead them into belie$ing its burgers 'ere
healthier than the# reall# 'ere !he case 'as dismissed <but the concept of -S7 for obesit# had
been planted in the mind of the 1mericans
Ca$ing held out for some time, companies ?oined a gro'ing retreat from some of the most
dubious countries for human rights $iolations =irst of all, Sa%s Inc announced a polic# against
sourcing products for its ten ma?or retail chains from M#anmar !ra$el group 0uoni announced
that it 'ould remo$e M#anmar from its 8994 tra$el brochure NNB Sports said it 'ould 'ithdra'
stoc% manufactured in M#anmar ;$entuall# the highest profile hold<out of them all, British
1merican !obacco said that it too 'ould pull out that countr#
!here ha$e been ne' additions to the number of companies 'hich stepped up their acti$ities to
address the challenge of CIHI1I6S in 1frica -ompanies such as Gold =ields, 1nglo 1merican
etc, are among them !he pharmaceutical companies made further concessions as 'ell
Gla*oSmith0line, for instance, reduced the price of -ombi$ir, an CIH drug, b# nearl# G9 per cent
to 99 cents per da#
!he #ear 8993 'as the first #ear that the Business ;thics 1'ards sa' a host of small companies
honoured, and the inauguration of the 1sian =orum on -S7 1'ards -onstruction firm -arillion
became Business in the -ommunit#>s -ompan# of the Lear, and /estpac topped the bill at ?ust
about e$er#thing it too% part in
"ragmatic approach or the poor
Ekram Kabir
BIf philanthrop# and financial realit# could be merged in order to achie$e long<term de$elopment
and impro$e the countr#>s econom#, that 'ould ha$e been the perfect e*ample of corporate social
responsibilit# 4-S75 in Bangladesh,B sa#s ;ngr Md Autful 0abir, the ;*ecuti$e 6irector of
Business 1d$isor# Ser$ices -entre 4B1S-5, 'hile tal%ing to !he( =inancial ;*press at his
6hanmondi office
-S7 is a comparati$el# ne' idea in Bangladesh !here are a couple of companies that ha$e latel#
engaged themsel$es in $arious %inds of social acti$ities, but, sa#s 0abir, such companies are
performing li%e isolated islands
BIf the social acti$ities of, let us sa#, Bata Bangladesh or British 1merica !obacco can be gi$en
an integrated form and if the amount of mone# thereof could be used to de$elop some other small
and medium enterprises 4SM;s5, then it 'ould ha$e been more benefiting for the countr#B, the
B1S- chief sa#s
Indeed, the SM;s are essential to the >path out of po$ert#> for countries li%e Bangladesh If
support for SM; de$elopment can be implemented here, this could be an important part of the
-S7 commitment of big companies Impro$ements in social and en$ironmental impact can go
hand in hand 'ith impro$ements in :ualit# and management
B-S7 is clearl# affecting SMSs in Bangladesh through direct suppl#<chain relationships as 'ell
as the de$elopment of legislation, and international standardisation and certification,B sa#s 0abir,
adding Bbut, in some cases, -S7 polic# has also bac%firedB
In this connection, he cited the sample of the then proposed 3S Senator Car%in>s Bill in 1993 that
threatened an import ban on clothes produced b# child labourers in the countr# 3nder pressure
from the 3S bu#ers, factor# o'ners in Bangladesh rapidl# eliminated child 'or%ers /ithout
ha$ing alternati$e arrangements, man# children ended up mo$ing into less fa$ourable and more
dangerous ?obs such as prostitution, bric%<brea%ing etc
!herefore, 0abir considers if -S7 demands are protectionist, culturall# inappropriate or
unreasonabl# bureaucratic, their net effect 'ill be undermining of li$elihoods in the poorer
countries 2n the other hand, the SM; sector must not be allo'ed to be a loophole in 'hich
polluting, e*ploitati$e industries flourish It is crucial to understand the basis for $iable,
appropriate >small business responsibilit#>
B!he lessons and approaches of -S7 cannot be simpl# transferred to S1MS,B he sa#s Man# of
the concerns underl#ing the calls for -S7 do not appl# to S1MS, 'hich lac% in the po'er to
influence go$ernments, dictate standards, or mo$e across national boundaries in search of lighter
regulation
In the de$eloped countries, the past t'o decades ha$e seen a radical change in the relationship
bet'een the business and the societ# !he %e# dri$ers of this change ha$e been the globalisation
of trade, 0abir notes 'hile pointing out the increased si"e and influence of companies, the
repositioning of go$ernment and the rise in strategic importance of sta%eholder relationships,
%no'ledge and brand reputation !he relationship bet'een companies and ci$il societ#
organisations has mo$ed on from paternalistic philanthrop# to a re<e*amination of the roles,
fights and responsibilities of businesses in societ# -S7, defined in terms of the responsi$eness of
businesses to sta%eholders> legal, ethical, social and en$ironmental e*pectations, is one outcome
of such de$elopments, he adds
-S7 has generall# been a response to consumer and ci$il societ# pressures !hese ha$e mainl#
been focused on transnational corporations 4!@-S5 ser$ing the 'estern mar%ets but often
operating in the southern countries 1ccusations b# go$ernments and ci$il societ# ali%e, of
en$ironmental pollution, human rights abuses, and e*ploitation of labour in suppl#<chains, ha$e
put pressures on the companies into becoming more en$ironmentall# and sociall# responsible
Co'e$er, companies ha$e :uic%l# recognised the strategic $alue of being more responsible and
are beginning to align products and business relationships, in particular through their suppl#<
chains, accordingl#
B2ne has to remember that -S7s are not a replacement for the rightful role of democratic
go$ernments to set regulator# frame'or%s for the benefit of societ#B, 0abir obser$ed
!herefore, there has to be a good mechanism for monitoring and certification the -S7 acti$ities
in Bangladesh, he points out
In the bu#er<dri$en $alue chains, compan# le$el codes of conduct, bac%ed up b# indi$idual
monitoring s#stems, ha$e become predominant, reflecting the po'er of ma?or brand<name labels
to influence their suppliers 1 single supplier ma# produce a number of different labels !his has
caused problems of multiple codes of conduct and monitoring s#stems burdening suppliers !hus,
partnerships such as the ethical trading initiati$e and the fair labour association as 'ell as the
supplier product certification scheme S1,999 ha$e been de$eloped to ensure that the codes of
conduct are effecti$e and manageable
B1nd 'ith this, comes the :uestion of ethical business promotion,B 0abir adds !he suppl#<chains
of big and small companies are becoming comple* !he effects of businesses on the poor are
getting magnified !he poor are part of business suppl#<chains, the# are the people affected b# the
factor# sites and the# are the customers also ;thical business promotion consists of ser$ices that
'ill aim to promote, encourage and monitor social and ethical aspects of business ;thical trade
also ensures that goods are produced under conditions that are sociall# and en$ironmentall#
responsible
BIn Bangladesh, there is no such organisation responsible for monitoring ethical trade issues If a
mechanism can be de$ised to create a'areness of ethical business issues and encourage and
monitor sociall# responsible beha$iour of businesses, Bangladesh 'ould, go a long 'a# in
creating a sound societ# in this countr#B, 0abir obser$es concluding his inter$ie' 'ith =;
"utting the labour orce irst
Ekram Kabir
!here 'as a time 'hen businessmen in Bangladesh, 'ho formed the elite of the societ#, used to
donate land and mone# for building mos:ues, schools and colleges, as part of their social
responsibilit# !his 'a#, as usuall# happens in elitist societies, the businessmen could maintain
their influence on the societ# 1t that time, there 'as hardl# an# corporate house that indi$iduall#
mattered in the countr#>s econom#& the farmers 'ere the main producers at that time
/ith the change in global business en$ironment o$er the past decades, big corporations are no'
steering the economies in almost e$er# countr# 1long 'ith them came the corporate social
responsibilit#, popularl# %no'n as -S7 all o$er the 'orld -orporate houses in the de$eloped
countries ha$e engaged themsel$es in the -S7 acti$ities in a massi$e manner Bangladesh, also,
'ould not remain outside this fold for too long It 'ould ha$e to fall in the pattern of global
business
2ne of the most fre:uentl# as%ed :uestions in toda#>s business is( 'hat does the -S7 mean
an#'a#D Is it onl# ploughing some of the mone# bac% to the sta%eholders or consumers, from
'hom the corporations earn their profit>D Co'e$er, different organisations ha$e come up 'ith
different definitions < although there is considerable common ground among them 2ne of the
most common definitions is that the -S7 is about ho' companies manage their business
processes to produce an o$erall positi$e impact on the societ#
1ccording to an article, ma%ing Good Business Sense, 'ritten b# Aord Colme and 7ichard /atts,
and published in a /orld Business -ouncil Publication, the -orporate Social 7esponsibilit# is
the continuing commitment b# business to beha$e ethicall# and contribute to economic
de$elopment 'hile impro$ing the :ualit# of life of the 'or%force and their families as 'ell as of
the local communit# and societ# at large
!he same article gi$es some e$idences of the different perceptions of 'hat this should mean from
a number of different societies across the 'orld In Ghana, the definition of -S7 is about
capacit#<building for sustainable li$elihood 1nd in lie Philippines, it is about businesses>
contribution to societ#
In the 3S, the home of the 'orld>s most reno'ned corporate houses, the -S7 has been defined in
terms of a philanthropic model !he 1merican companies ma%e profits, unhindered e*cept b#
fulfilling their dut# to pa# ta*es !hen the# donate a certain share of the profits to charitable
causes
In ;urope, it is much more focused on operating the core business in a sociall# responsible 'a#,
complemented b# in$estment in communities for solid business case reasons Business anal#sts
belie$e that the ;uropean st#le is more sustainable because social responsibilit# becomes an
integral part of the 'ealth<creation process 'hich, if managed properl#, should enhance the
competiti$eness of business and ma*imise the $alue of 'ealth<creation to societ#
In this 'a#, in different countries, there 'ould be different priorities, and $alues that 'ill shape
businesses to act 2ne thing that 'ould remain common to e$er# countr# relates to the pressure
on businesses to pla# a role in social issues < and that 'ill continue to gro' 2$er the last 19
#ears, those institutions, 'hich ha$e gro'n in po'er and influence, ha$e been those 'hich could
operate effecti$el# 'ithin a global sphere of operations !hese are the corporates and the @G9s
1nd businesses these da#s, ranging from oil producers to utilities to supermar%ets, are putting in
place thee en$ironmental standards, trumpeting their emplo#ment policies and publicising
communit# initiati$es
Man# compnies across the 'orld are stepping into the areas 'here man# go$ernments are failing
!he -oca -ola, for instance, has a programme for condom distribution in Southern 1frica
Harious mining companies ha$e instituted comprehensi$e healthcare programmes, pro$iding not
onl# education and proph#lactics but also treatments, e$en for people 'ith 1ids, 'here
medication is relati$el# e*pensi$e Man# pharmaceutical companies ha$e offered to suppl# their
medicines at lo' or no cost to the de$eloping countries
@o', it is true that companies are doing these things for a number of reasons In part it is basic
self<interest& ill 'or%ers are not $er# producti$e In part it is basic self<interest& impro$ing the
health of the poor ma%es for good public relations But for 'hate$er reasons the# are doing it,
the# are doing it 'ith little or no prodding from go$ernments In ma# cases, the# are e$en doing
it in spite of all the restrictions imposed b# go$ernment
In India, 'hich has o$er 89,999 pharmaceutical companies churning out medicines, 79 per cent of
the population do not ha$e access to medicines 1n =r article sa#s that the -oca<-ola announced
plans to spend as much as G99 million 3S dollars a #ear on CIHI 1ids treatment of its 1frican
hottlers+ emplo#ees Still, -o%e is facing global protests for not doing enough to combat the
pandemic in 1frica
!he CIHI1ids is not the onl# issue in 'hich the companies are engaging themsel$es !here are
man# other areas of social responsibilit# of the corporations -ompanies are fast realising that
the# are at the recei$ing end of a sharp increase in social e*pectations about the role of
corporations in societ# 1nd this is no longer ?ust about philanthrop# or e$en ethics 7ather, it
concerns the fact that companies increasingl# are held accountable not onl# to shareholders but
also to emplo#ees and suppliers and to societ# at large 1nd the last of these has seen the most
radical shift
In Bangladesh, the -S7 still re$ol$es around philanthrop# 1 compan# is being considered to be
>sociall# responsible> onl# 'hen it is being referred to, for its philanthropic endea$ours,
en$ironmental practices, 'or%place policies, or di$ersit# initiati$es In Bangladesh man#
companies ha$e made significant strides in raising the standard of business <B1!, -itiban%, Ae$er
Brothers and the li%e < to name a fe'
6espite, some good initiati$es in Bangladesh, a ma?or portion of corporate houses are #et realise
'hat >social responsibilit#> means for them !he companies in Bangladesh ma# not be able to
afford 'hat people li%e Bill Gates do Microsoft -hairman Bill Gates> B ill and Melinda Gates
=oundation ga$e the Indian go$ernment a generous 189 million dollars for 1ids pre$ention !his
is almost e:ual to 'hat the 3S go$ernment has pledged to pro$ide India to fight the disease
It is not e*pected that Gates> generosit# 'ould inspire Bangladeshi businessmen to rise to their
social responsibilit# But the# can, at least, ta%e their cue from Gates If entrepreneurs sho' e$en
a fraction of the passion the# displa# in building mos:ues for combating problems of health,
education and po$ert#, the# 'ill ha$e earned the nation>s gratitude
!a%e the case for female garments 'or%ers in Bangladesh 7eportedl# 4=; on 6ecember 19, 8998
the o'ners of some garment factories in the countr# are den#ing the natural rights of their 'omen
labourforce !he# are doing this either b# imposing insane sible preconditions or through hidden
tactics !hese 'or%ers are no allo'ed to ha$e babies !he garments o'ners thin% that being
mothers 'ould hamper their producti$it# Man# garment factories the precondition for ha$ing a
?ob is to refrain from ha$ing babies and the# ha$e to accept it for lac% of alternati$e ?ob
opportunities 2n the other hand, o'ners and officials or garment factories sa# that the# get
benefits b# discouraging pregnanc#
!here are more than 1G million 'or%ers in the countr#+s garment sector and ,G percent of them
are 'omen 'ho o$er'or% in factories, ma%ing precious sacrifices and, thus, helping the countr#
earn foreign currenc# But if the re'ard for helping the factor# o'ners to ma%e mone# comes in
the form of den#ing the 'omen of their natural rights, then this process of profit ma%ing is
certainl# :uite unfriendl# to the societ# at large
;$er# sector in Bangladesh 'ould gi$e almost the similar picture !he Bangladeshi economic
elite must ac%no'ledge that no countr# can aspire to be economicall# prosperous if its population
continues to li$e a life threatened b# disease, illiterac# and debilitating penur# !here is no tight
definition of -S7& there are man# 'a#s of describing it 3nderstanding 'hat it means for
Bangladesh needs to carr# out some basics li%e ta%ing good care of the labour force
%atching the principles with practices
By Ekram Kabir
!he da#s for businesses to ha$e onl# one goal < to ma%e mone# for their o'ners < are o$er !oda#,
business is under pressure, from both sta%eholders and the people at large, to adopt responsible
business practices !he demand is for corporate social responsibilit#, and no' it has become a
global phenomenon
!he B-lean -lothes -ampaignB during the 1999s in some ;uropean countries urged consumers to
bo#cott stores 'hich sold garments made b# firms using child labour, for e*ample 1t that time,
there 'ere some non< go$ernmental groups in the 3S 'ho also campaigned against bu#ing
products of those brands that 'ere using children as their labour force
!he repercussions of such campaigns 'ere felt in poorer economics li%e Bangladesh, India,
Pa%istan etc Go$ernments and garments manufacturers of these countries had to go through a
great ordeal that child labour 'as a realit# in economies 'here po$ert# e*ists in its se$erest form
Co'e$er, campaigns against the use of child labour in factories ha$e changed the social picture in
these countries !he o'ners of their go$ernments> factories had to arrange schooling for the %ids
the# 'ere using in their units
!he realit# these da#s is that businesses around the 'orld can no longer disregard their social and
en$ironmental responsibilities, for the# are under gro'ing pressures to help build a fairer societ#
!he process of globalisation has also contributed to it 2nl# claims that globalisation 'ould
spread the benefits of economic gro'th ha$e not been enough& economic operators these<da#s
must also demonstrate that the# are also sociall# responsible Businesses, therefore, are tr#ing
'or% together to respond effecti$el# to these ne' demands of social responsibilit#
In this respect, the ;uropeans ha$e gone :uite a long 'a#( corporate social responsibilit# is no'
firml# on the political and social agenda of the ;uropean 3nion 4;35 countries !he British
go$ernment has a minister to hold the portfolio of corporate social responsibilit# !he ;uropean
-ommission, the ;3>s e*ecuti$e arm, published a Green Paper on corporate social responsibilit#,
'ith the aim of launching a broad<based consultation on legal and $oluntar# frame'or%s the ;3
needs in order to promote corporate> social responsibilit#
Moreo$er, the# ha$e alread# recognised the potential benefits of a partnership among
go$ernment, businesses and ci$il societ# to address social and en$ironmental issues -onsumer
beha$iour < the decision about 'hich product to bu# < is no longer influenced b# price alone
1ccording to a recent sur$e#, 79 per cent of the ;uropean consumers sa# that a compan#>s
commitment to social responsibilit# is important 'hen bu#ing a product or ser$ice
1s Bangladesh faces the challenge of globalisation, it is imperati$e to ta%e the concerns of all
sta%eholders into account -orporate social responsibilit# pro$ides an opportunit# for deli$ering
$alue to all Co'e$er, there is no single, transferable model of corporate social responsibilit#
/hile the pressures mounted b# globalisation are similar across the 'orld, responses must be
local
Aoo% at the fastfood ?oints that are popping up in all the ma?or cities in Bangladesh !he# ha$e
certainl# made food accessible to almost e$er#bod# !he best thing that happened, follo'ing the
establishments li%e /imp#>s, Best =ried -hic%en, Cel$etia etc, that this sector has generated
man# emplo#ment opportunities for the unemplo#ed Louths < 'ho are considerabl# educated but
not :ualified for 'hite< and blue<collar ?obs <are seen ta%ing up 'or% in such units
Co'e$er, the other side of the trend of consuming fastfoods is being ignored !he# ha$e changed
the food habits of people, especiall# the children, to such an e*tent that these da#s people are
being compelled to spend more than their capacit# ;arlier, the school going children 'ere :uite
content 'ith carr#ing tiffin from home and the# 'ere suite gratified 'ith 'hat their mothers used
to ba%e or coo% for them @o'ada#s, it has become :uite impossible for the parents to ma%e their
'ards eat home<made tiffin !he children 'ouldn>t eat an#thing other than burgers or sand'iches,
sa#, from -ooper>s or Cot Breads or Lanim#<Lamm#
1s% an# parent& the# 'ould tell #ou ho' much pinch the# feel on their purse
1gain, fast<foods are also putting negati$e effects on people>s health 1ccording to the nutritional
e*perts, fastfoods are $er# rich in both cholesterol and other fats !his can cause cardiac diseases
at a $er# earl# age Mac6onalds in the 3S faced this complaint from 1merican -onsumers
1ssociation and had to change their recipe and prepare harmless foods
@o', Mac6onalds care for health of its consumers, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to name
out an# fast<food chain in Bangladesh ha$ing this sense of responsibilit# /ho 'ould instill this
sense in themD /ho 'ould enforce the social and en$ironmental standards for corporate
beha$iour among these businesses in a countr# li%e Bangladesh, 'here go$ernment neither does
function 'ell nor has the resources to ensure that businesses perform at the le$el that is
customar# for the 3S or ;uropeD Is the compan# solel# responsible for maintaining acceptable
standardsD -an the responsibilit# be shared 'ith an outside bod# of 'hich the compan# is a
memberD
Someone must chec% 'hether a compan#>s principles match its practices !here is a gro'ing
'orld'ide mo$ement to'ards corporate responsibilit# and sustainabilit#, because, in man# cases,
man# products ha$e brought damage and suffering to the societ#
1t this point of time 'hen companies and go$ernments turn their attention to sustainabilit#, it is
of critical importance that the meaning of sustainabilit# does not get lost in the trappings of
corporate language
Comort and saety while on the wheels
Ekram Kabir
!he demands and e*pectations of corporate social responsibilit# 4-S75 impact differentl# on
different business sectors Some sectors entail a lot of initiati$es, re:uiring a high le$el of
a'areness<raising acti$ities on societal issues < from human rights to health and en$ironment
2ther sectors, including the financial ser$ices sector, re:uire less ph#sical impact But
nonetheless the# can ha$e a significant influence o$er the de$elopment and 'ell<being of a
countr# or a communit# in 'hich the# operate
/hile -S7 is increasingl# ac%no'ledged as an important business issue in de$eloped economies
there is still relati$el# little practical guidance a$ailable in Bangladesh to help companies respond
to the challenges it presents
Aoo% at the logistics and transportation sector Globall#, this sector faces some strong challenges
'hile carr#ing out its percei$ed social responsibilities < particularl# in relation to en$ironmental
impact, traffic congestion and energ# 'aste management, safet# and securit#, access to trade and
enterprise opportunities and sustainable infrastructure !ransports ha$e a mass consumer mar%et,
others ha$e business and institutional mar%ets < but all ha$e a public interface 'hich ma%e the
sector $ulnerable to negati$e and hostile public perception
In Bangladesh, the automobile sector recei$ed a huge boost in recent #ears, because of the rise in
demand for lu*ur# cars and utilit# $ehicles Interestingl#, the number of cars, buses coaches etc,
has e*tensi$el# gone up 1t the moment, the automobile business seems :uite impressi$e here in
Bangladesh e$en after imposition of some restrictions on the import of recondition cars and
reduction of dut# on the import of ne' cars It has done some good !he car, mar%et operators are
no' importing ne' cars 'hich are belie$ed to be more en$ironmentall#<friendl# 1nd this has
gi$en a ne' dimension to this sector
In the process, a large number of coach and bus companies <including the cab companies ha$e
entered into the transport sector !he# are earning lucrati$e remuneration from their operations
Co'e$er, nothing is clear about their role in societal affairs 2ne thing has been e*pressed b#
them :uite clearl#( the# ha$e been and are demanding a comprehensi$e transport polic# !he lac%
of such a polic#, among other things, has put the life of commuters at ris% =or e*ample, road
accidents in recent #ears are on the rise
!he recent initiati$es of the go$ernment to introduce -@G<dri$en automobiles ha$e contributed
positi$el# to the societ# as far as en$ironment is concerned Mean'hile, the -@G<dri$en $ehicles
ha$e recei$ed a 'ider acceptance among the people
Being at the heart of public transport s#stem, Bangladeshi transport companies need to be
committed to 'or% 'ith their industr# partners < 'ho are mainl# the sellers here < to de$elop a
full# integrated transportation s#stem and to ensure :ualit# and $alue of transportation and
tra$elling !he# also are e*pected to maintain close lin%s 'ith passengers and consumer groups
But, do these 4coach5 companies that are operating on long routes and in ma?or cities of
Bangladesh consider the Ben$ironmentB in their business decisionsD 6o the# continuall# impro$e
their ser$ice and thereb# encourage the use of public transportD 6o the# 'or% proacti$el# to
pre$ent polluting incidents, reduce to*ic emissions in the en$ironment and optimise the energ#
efficienc# of all transport modesD 6o the $ehicle importers 'or% in partnership 'ith their
sta%eholders and other organisations to implement a more sustainable transport polic# and help
create an integrated public transport s#stemD
1gain, do the# pro$ide the necessar# training, support and resources to their staff in order to
ensuring implementation of these policiesD Is there an# scope for the passengers to e*press their
grie$ances about the hardship the# face 'hile commuting or tra$ellingD 6o passengers feel safe
'hile tra$elling b# these $ehiclesD
In the 30, for e*ample, a mar%et leader in car rental, 1$is ;urope, has come for'ard to pro$ide
support for integrated transport programmes 'hich aim to reduce traffic congestion and pollution
le$els !he >-ar -lub> concept, to reduce congestion and car usage is also being implemented b#
1$is -17$enience !here are no' -ar -lubs across the 30 !he club members use a pool of
1$is cars for an annual fee, plus time and mileage, thereb# reducing car o'nership, congestion
and pollution from unnecessar# ?ourne#s
!his has no' become an international phenomenon for the cab, bus, coach companies, in
association 'ith auto<ma%ers and sellers, to pla# a $ital role in de$eloping people<friendl#
business practices !he# continue to impro$e their en$ironmental performances b# specif#ing
modern engines and fuel<efficient s#stems in $ehicles, and implementing communit# friendl#
policies
Similarl#, Bangladeshi companies, too, should ta%e some of those initiati$es that 'ould ensure
road safet#, passenger comfort, en$ironmental soundness on the routes the# operate
+edE,)s corporate giving and volunteerism
Ekram Kabir
B/e 'ill do 'hat 'e>re allo'ed to do& 'e e*pect go$ernments to pro$ide the legal frame'or%
that sa#s 'hat societ# 'ill put up 'ithB < is usuall# the attitude of man# big business houses
to'ards the societ#
6espite this fact, big businesses these da#s are incorporating the corporate social responsibilit#
4-S75 in their social agenda 1 fine e*ample of this is =ed;* <the largest operating unit of =ed;*
-orp It tries to create 'hat it sa#s, an atmosphere of caring about the communities in 'hich it
operates !he# are also dedicated to effecti$e corporate citi"enship, leading the 'a# in helping the
communities and promoting the cause of en$ironment
!hrough financial support and emplo#ee $olunteerism, =ed;*, >the global bearer, helps the
3nited /a# Since 1,,7, the 3nited /a# has mobilised the caring po'er of communities in the
3S 1merica>s national organisation, 3nited /a# of 1merica, in$ests in programmes and ser$ices
that help identif# and address the needs of local communities =ed;T began its relationship 'ith
the 3nited /a# in 197G 'ith a corporate gift !oda#, =ed;* supports it in t'o primar# 'a#s(
corporate gi$ing campaigns and $olunteerism
=undraising ta%es place in each =ed;* compan#, along special e$ents such as the 3nited /a#
telethon broadcast on the in<house =T!H tele$ision net'or% =ed;* $olunteers also participate in
acti$ities such as the 3nited /a# B6a# of -aringB programmes
!he compan# has some in$ol$ement in safet# measures, ma%ing an alliance 'ith the 1merican
S1=; 0I6S -ampaign !ogether, =ed;* and S1=; 0I6S ha$e created the B/al% !his /a#B
program, celebrated each 2ctober on International /al% !o School 6a#, to teach pedestrian safet#
to school children and to establish safer, more 'al%able communities
B!here is nothing more fearful for a =ed;* courier than a child darting out in front of #our truc%
So this programme is a perfect fit for us It>s not ?ust a programme It>s about %ids,B 6a$id
Bronc"e%, the =ed;* -;2, has been :uoted as sa#ing b# the media
Since its inception in 8999,BS1=; 0I6S /al% !his /a#B has e*panded to co$er nearl# 399
schools in the 3S, 'ith intemational e*pansion in Bra"il and 1sia
Aast #ear, =ed;* announced its support for @elson Mandela>s global 1I6S a'areness and
fundraising campaign, BGi$e 1 Minute 2f Lour !ime =or 1I6SB
1t the heart of the campaign 'as a concert held in -ape !o'n in @o$ember last 'hich reached
an estimated !H audience of o$er three billion people in 99 countries =ed;* helped transport
89,999 %ilos of e:uipment needed for the e$ent from Aondon to the Green Point Stadium in -ape
!o'n, South 1frica !he compan# also returned the e:uipment to Aondon, pro$iding full logistics
e*pertise and dedicated flights to support the mission
7obert / ;lliott, President of =ed;*, ;urope, Middle ;ast and 1frica said that time( B1I6S is a
ma?or global issue that should be of concern to all of us I %no' that e$er# one of our emplo#ees
and contractors 'orld 'ide, 'ill be ?ust as proud of our in$ol$ement and eager to support this
momentous initiati$eB
Moreo$er, =ed;* and the 7ed -ross 'or% together to pro$ide :uic% response for disasters around
the 'orld =ed;* and Ceart to Ceart 'or% together to alle$iate offering throughout the 'orld It
has helped this relief and de$elopment organisation deli$er food, medicine and emergenc#
supplies to Hietnam, -hina, India and other areas
Sight is a precious gift and =ed;* helps 2rbis International pro$ide e#ecare and treatment to
people in de$eloping countries 2rbis, 'hich fre:uentl# comes to Bangladesh, uses a con$erted
air< craft as a Bfl#ing e#e hospitalB in 'hich its international medical team performs e#e surgeries
for the need# and shares their s%ills 'ith ph#sicians from the host countr#
=ed;* and its subsidiaries recognise that effecti$e en$ironmental management is one of its most
important corporate priorities It is committed to the continued e$aluation of en$ironmental
impacts of its pac%aging products !hroughout the past 19 #ears, it has 'or%ed to minimise the
en$ironmental impact of its pac%aging =or e*ample, its en$elopes are no' made of 199 per cent
rec#cled material, 3G per cent minimum post<consumer content and is not bleached
It is also acti$el# in$ol$ed in efforts to promote cleaner air b# reducing emissions through
efficient route planning and the use of clean and alternati$e fuels =ed;* complies 'ith all
international, federal, state and local air :ualit# re:uirements -ompared to passenger airlines, it
has a lo'er utilisation of aircraft In a 84<hour period, a =ed;* aircraft tradition< all# completes
onl# t'o ta%e offIlanding c#cles -ommercial airlines complete numerous c#cles during the same
time period =ed;* ;*press is the onl# compan# in its sector to be rated an B1B in the -ouncil on
;conomic
Priorities corporate responsibilit# profile for ;n$ironment, indicating that =ed;* is among the
best =ortune G99 companies trac%ed b# -;P in en$ironmental issues
&okia makes a connection
Ekram Kabir
@o%ia is possibl# one of the most familiar brand names to Bangladeshis !'o in e$er# fi$e
cellphone users in Bangladesh use @o%ia 1longside e*panding its business, @o%ia also has a set
of acti$ities meeting its obligations to the societ#
!he @o%ia administration belie$es in in$esting in a shared future, de$eloping products and
ser$ices that encourage communication and learning among people and societies 'here the
compan# operates @o%ia is using its strengths, 'hat it sa#s, connecting and communicating, to
help ma%e a difference It is using the same approach to ensure its in$ol$ement 'ith #outh and
education issues around the 'orld, helping #oung people create their o'n place
@o%ia>s Bglobal #outh programmesB are a life<s%ill programme, acti$e in 1F countries, that deli$<
ers digital education materials to schools using mobile technolog# @o%ia emplo#ees indi$iduall#
ma%e a difference through contributing their time, efforts and e*pertise to a $ariet# of causes
under the umbrella of the compan#>s global initiati$e
@o%ia>s BMa%e a -onnectionB programme, a global initiati$e of the International Louth
=oundation and @o%ia, started in 1pril 8999 Promoting positi$e #outh de$elopment, the
programme gi$es #oung people an opportunit# to Bma%e a connectionB 'ith their communities,
their families and peers, and themsel$es
It impro$es #oung people>s educational opportunities, teaches them life s%ills and helps them
ma%e a positi$e contribution to their 4ocieties !his is achie$ed, for e*ample, b# pro$iding direct
training, b# facilitating mentor<ships, b# gi$ing #outh $olunteering opportunities, or b# training
adults 4teachers, #outh 'or%ers5
!o date, the programme has alread# made a tangible difference in the li$es of more 1999,999
#oung people, trained more than 1999 adults in reaching out to #oung people, and indirectl#
benefited more than 1,399,999 #oung people and adults @o%ia has so far committed more than
E13 million 3S dollars to the programme
@o%ia, International Louth =oundation, Pearson and 3@6P, combining their research and
de$elopment resources, ha$e launched Bridgeit, a global programme to deli$er digital education
materials to schools using mobile technolog# 1 fast and eas#<to<use ser$ice, Bridgeit combines
e*isting mobile products and satellite technologies to deli$er digital, multimedia materials to
teachers and students 'ho other'ise 'ould not ha$e access to them
!eachers 'ould be able to use mobile phones supplied b# @o%ia to access a librar# of science
$ideos pro$ided b# Pearson, the 'orld>s leading learning compan# 2nce selected, $ideos are
do'n loaded $ia satellite to a @o%ia digital $ideo recorder connected to a tele$ision right in the
classroom
In an initial countr#<'ide pilot beginning in Nune last #ear in the Philippines, fifth and si*th grade
teachers in more than ,9 classrooms are able to use mobile phones to access a librar# of more
than ,9 full<length science $ideos !he selected $ideos are then do'nloaded $ia satellite to the
digital $ideo recorder connected to a tele$ision in the classroom Bridgeit has the potential to
impro$e learning opportunities for more than 13,999 elementar# school children
In Bra"il, @o%ia prepares #oung people for a better future, offering a co<ed technical diploma for
almost G99 students that includes more than 799 hours of industr# training !he programme also
offers free food, transportation and some medical care
@o%ia ma%es charitable contributions in man# countries around the 'orld, supporting schools and
%indergartens and ha$ing donated for e*ample hospital e:uipment to the Ceim Pal -hildren>s
Cospital in Cungar# and to the neonatal and paediatric departments of the Prague Motol Cospital
It has also been supporting a children>s help centre in 6uesseldorf, German# for the past four
#ears and ha$e funded a -apoeira programme for orphans in se$en orphanages in Berlin since
1999
In 1ustralia, it has contributed to the Sal$ation 1rm# and to a charit# for disabled children It has
cooperated 'ith 3nicef for man# #ears It is one of 3nicefs largest supporters in their annual
Seasons Greetings -ards campaign Since 199G, it has contributed more than EG99999 in
Greetings cards
In the 3S and -anada, @o%ia is a ma?or contributor to the 3nited /a#, a charit#, b# mobilising
the caring po'er of communities !he 3nited /a# addresses the most critical local issues and
mobilises resources, bringing communities together to focus on the most important human needs
@o%ia is also cooperating 'ith the International =ederation of 7ed -ross and 7ed -rescent
Societies in se$eral countries It has, for e*ample, donated one million 3S dollars for
humanitarian assistance to the $ictims of the 0oso$o crisis through the =innish 7ed -ross,
contributed to the 7ed -ross of Hene"uela after the Hene"uela floods, and supported the relief and
reconstruction efforts follo'ing the earth:ua%e in Gu?arat, India
7ecentl#, it contributed to 7ed -ross relief efforts after the $olcano eruption that affected the
li$es of people in the -ongo and 7'anda I7 the aftermath of both the ;uropean floods and the
oil spill<off the coast of Spain< in 8998, it supplied funds as 'ell Nu%%a Santala, one of @o%ia>s
unit managers, has been :uoted as sa#ing( B!he basic idea is to do something good for the
communit#B
'ran- Heading towards a conrontation
.he West has reasons to be angry with the conservatives gaining ground in the
conrontation between and conservatives 'ran, writes
Ekram Kabir
1 =!;7 a sho'do'n bet'een reformists and conser$ati$es in the =ebruar# 89 elections, Iran is
possibl# heading to'ards a political confrontation 7eformist leaders %ept sa#ing before the
elections that a political dispute surrounding elections 'ould gi$e rise to BdespotismB Co'e$er,
on =ebruar# 4, Iran>s 1li 1#atollah 0hamenei> sought to defuse the dispute, 'hich centred on the
decision of the conser$ati$e<dominated Guardian -ouncil < an unelected institution charged 'ith
ensuring that political de$elopments conform to Islamic guidelines < to dis:ualif# roughl# 8,499
candidates, most of them reformists, from the election
!he /est 'as hoping for a reformist $ictor# in Iran @o' 'ith the reformists dominating the
Iranian Parliament, the /est, especiall# the 3S, 'ould find it difficult to implement their foreign
polic# in the Middle ;ast 1s the /est is alread# sho'ing its teeth as far as Iran is concerned, the
conser$ati$es $ictor# is li%el# to anger them further
Iran is an ancient and comple* place !o man# 'esterners, Iran represents the enem# It is time to
lift the $eils of ignorance and fear, and tr# and understand ho' the# became such a hostile force
in the region
!he spea%ing culture of the ancient Iranians did not de$elop until the middle of the second
millennium B- !he original settlers 'ere the ;lamites in the region, then %no'n as Susiana B#
the fourth millennium, the# 'ere using pictographs, most li%el# learnt from the Sumerians
!his ancient land along 'ith Ira:, once %no'n7 as Mesopotamia, contributed much to the entire
'orld Let in ignorance and fear, the# are all too often dismissed as semi <literate barbarians !he#
are far from that, as more recent historical e$ents demonstrate
1fter a period of great anger and unrest on 6ecember 39, 199F the Shah signed an agreement
granting the Iranians a constitution Mu"affar ad<6in 41,9F<19975 'as not a great ruler for his
countr# Ce spent mone# on trips and reneged on man# promises of reform !he clerics and
merchants 'ere tired of 'estern interference in their countr#, particularl# that of 7ussia, /hen he
bac%ed out of signing the constitutional reforms the# had re:uested, a #ear earlier, Nanuar# 199F,
19,999 clerics and merchants too% sanctuar#, fearing reprisal !he# 'ere see%ing a limit to ro#al
po'er and a more balanced form of constitutional monarch#
Great Britain, 'ho had en?o#ed man# economic benefits b# all#ing 'ith Iran, since the 1,99s
'anted to %eep control of the 1nglo<Iranian 2il -ompan# Baron Nulius de 7euter 'as granted
the right to establish the first ban% there and other Britons 'ere granted concessions in tobacco
and shipping Since the clerics 'ere anti<tobacco, ho'e$er, the Shah 'as forced to cancel the
concessions, damaging further his countr#>s financial reser$es In 1,9F the Shah 'as assassinated
/hen the =irst /orld /ar bro%e out, Iran tried remaining neutral and instead ended up getting
strongl# armed, caught bet'een 7ussia, !ur%e# and Great Britain
2il 'as disco$ered in 199, in enough :uantities to be commerciall# $iable 3nder a ?oint $enture
agreement the 1nglo<Iranian 2il -ompan#, 'hich later became British Petroleum -ompan#,
Shah 7e"a Pahle$i in 1933, succeeded in renegotiating a fairer concession on the oil production
'ith Great Britain Post //II, attempts to secure a ne' contract failed, in spite of Great Britain>s
hea$# reliance on Iranian oil during the 'ar !his lead to the nationalisation of Iranian oil, and the
ne' compan# 'as named @I2- 4@ational Iranian 2il -ompan#5
/ith this change, the beginnings of Iranian freedom from 'estern influence trul# began !his lin%
goes into fascinating detail about the facts surrounding Iran+s oil production
1nal#sts are sa#ing that hardliners could pursue a more aggressi$e nuclear polic# Pragmatic
conser$ati$es struc% a deal 'ith 30, =rance and German# last @o$ember to open Iran+s nuclear
facilities to inspection, hoping a softer international line could bu# some respite on the scrutin# of
domestic issues, such as human rights But man# hardliners 'ere deepl# unhapp# 'ith the deal,
and 'estern diplomats belie$e the# see the stifling of domestic opposition as an opportunit# to
pursue a 'eapons programme more rapidl#
Co'e$er, the 3S, 'hich 'as suspicious of the deal in the first place, had its concern reinforced
b# the disco$er# onl# recentl# of ad$anced centrifugal e:uipment for enriching uranium to
'eapons grade Iran had failed to declare the e:uipment, and has had its in$ol$ement in the
international nuclear blac% mar%et e*posed b# the do'nfall of Pa%istan+s nuclear JfatherK, 1bdul
Sadeer 0han
1gain, senior officials from Britain, German# and =rance 'ent to Hienna recentl# to negotiate
'ith the Iranians and 'ith Mohamed ;IBaradei, the head of the International 1tomic ;nerg#
1genc# !he attempt to brea% the deadloc% failed
!here 'as no brea%do'n, but there 'as no brea%through Since the tal%s aimed at securing a
comprehensi$e free"e of Iran+s uranium enrichment acti$ities, further e$idence has emerged that
Iran is continuing to co$er up elements of its unclear programme despite its claims to ha$e
re$ealed all to the I1;1
3@ inspectors disco$ered designs for a centrifuge that can produce bomb fuel t'ice as fast as the
machine the Iranians are currentl# assembling !he centrifuge designs 'ere not reported b# the
Iranians, and constitute an apparent breach of their commitment to re$eal all, although >the
significance of the finding is being pla#ed do'n b# A0;1 officials
!he 1mericans, the ;uropeans, and officials at the Hienna agenc# are con$inced that the Iranians
ha$e reneged on the deal B/e>re on a steep do'n'ard tra?ector# on Iran,B Non /olfsthal, the 3S
nuclear anal#st and former -linton administration department of energ# official, 'as :uoted as
sa#ing
1lthough the conser$ati$es are no' in the ascendant, the# are deepl# di$ided o$er ho' to
proceed, 'ith pragmatists fa$ouring a softer Bbread and circusesB approach to rule and hardliners
'anting re$enge on their reformist enemies Co??atolislam Sa$ami, one of the dis:ualified MPs
and chairman of the Ma?lis legal committee, told !he Independent Sunda# the opponents of
reform could become B!aliban<li%e and limit all legal freedomB Some reformists actuall# hope
for a crac%do'n in the belief that this might re%indle public support for them
1t the end of the da#, the hardliners seem to be setting the agenda But no' the# 'ill need to
focus on impro$ing the econom# as a pi$otal element of their strateg# to retain po'er
;conomic reform has been se$erel# hindered b# constant bic%ering bet'een the Ma?lis and
non<elected conser$ati$es in recent #ears, and can no' be pushed through more :uic%l#
2nce the /est begins to grasp the enormit# of its incursion into an ancient culture, perhaps it
should see that its enem# is right there at home It is their greed !heir rapacit#, in the 'estern
'orld that has created the tangled s%eins of hate that is found throughout the 'orld 1nd Iran is
li%el# to become another scapegoat for 'estern e*periment
Environmental rating or local do*gooders
Ekram Kabir
-orporate social responsibilit# 4-<S75 has no singular definition but the Business for Social
7esponsibilit# /hite Paper calls it Bbusiness decision<ma%ing lin%ed to ethical $alues,
compliance 'ith legal re:uirements and respect for people and communitiesB
Some anal#sts describe it as doing business 'ith empath#B and in the business perspecti$e it is
ho' a compan# operates in a 'a# that ?oins, or sometimes e*ceeds the moral, la'ful, commercial
and public e*pectations that the societ# has of business
In the past, it 'as enough for a compan# to ma%e a decent product and mar%et it !hese da#s
corporations are reaching out to $arious sta%eholders and 'in their confidence 1 large number of
non<go$ernment organisations, people>s organisations and ci$ic and professorial groups are
'or%ing together to sho' that the pri$ate sector is acti$e in helping the people ill need -S7 and
its pac%age of substantial benefits for communities un:uestionabl# ma%e good business sense
But a 'or%place reporter from 1ustralia 'rites, B/estpac is 1ustralia>s most sociall# responsible
compan# in all audit of the top 199 firms < but man# others are failing far short of communit#,
emplo#ee and in$estor e*pectationsB
Ai%e'ise, in ne' ratings s#stem for -S7, most of 1ustralia>s top 199 companies failed the test
'hen it came to caring for the en$ironment ;ight#<si* of the top 199 firms 'ere rated
unsatisfactor# on their en$ironmental friendliness, 'ith onl# 18 firms scoring a pass or better and
none scoring the top grade !he 'ea%ness 'as re$ealed in a ne' rating of companies according to
the so<called triple bottomline of social, en$ironmental and 'or%place performances and
corporate go$ernance
2n the other hand, @e' Uealand companies operating in 1ustralia are reportedl# failing to
impress 1ustralia+s leading e*perts in -S7, a ne' measure to ?udge ho' 'ell companies treat the
communities that support them @e' Uealand>s biggest compan#, !elecom @U, has become the
'orst performer among the 199 listed 0i'i corporations in the inaugural 7epu!e* rating
-lose to home, In India, a stud# done t'o #ears ago b# Aondon>s !he ;nerg# and 7esources
Institute<;urope found that Indian companies 'ere #et to embrace -S7 as a core business
strateg# !hen ?ust a #ear later, another stud# reflected a paradigm shift It found that a ma?orit# of
the companies sur$e#ed too% up -S7 programmes in their desire to be good corporate citi"ens
and to impro$e the brand image
1 stud# on -S7, Nointl# done b# 3@6P, Price'aterhouse -oopers, -onfederation of Indian
Industr# and the British -ouncil, sa' a ma?orit# of corporate sa#ing that the# ran%ed ethical
conduct including compliance and transparenc# of business and nation building among the
definitions closest to their perception of -S7 1 good chun% of Indian e*porters, for e*< ample,
agreed that social compliance 'as paramount ill securing orders abroad
Since -S7 is percei$ed as a mechanism to proacti$el# address the significant regulator#
re:uirement especiall# those concerning health, safet# and en$ironment, a de$ice to rate
Bangladeshi companies can be put in place Man# Bangladesh companies no'ada#s claim to
-S7<sa$$# !hose 'ho claim to be -S7<friendl# are alread# established business houses of
considerable repute But if the# are as%ed to produce their en$ironmental reports, most of them
'ould fail to do so Bangladeshi companies mostl# contribute mone#, as part of their -S7
initiati$es, to games and sports, occasional healthcare initiati$es li%e e#e camp, blood donation
etc
!here are, ho'e$er, some 'ho run informal initiati$es on planting trees 'hich loo% e*tremel#
casual, sometimes $er# ca$elier !he go$ernment is at the forefront ill this respect @ational
leaders are seen to plant trees < 'hich the# sa# is Bcaring for the en$ironmentB < oil special da#s
Initiati$es li%e these hardl# benefit the o$erall en$ironment of the countr#
6oing business in all eco<friendl# manner has these da#s become heart and soul of businesses
=or e*ample, if an#one 'ants to go for a ne' tea garden in the hill region or tanner# business or
establish a factor# near a localit# < the# need to sho' 'hat the# are doing for conser$ing the
en$ironment
1mid a problem<ridden atmosphere, business in Bangladesh is ?ust flourishing If the ne'
businesses are made to follo' a set of guidelines on en$ironmental concerns as part of their -S7
acti$ities the countr# 'ould go a long 'a# in protecting and conser$ing its en$ironment
!herefore, there should be a s#stem of annual rating of the companies according to their
contribution to the en$ironment But before that, a 'ell<though<out, unif#ing set of guidelines is
needed 2ther'ise, caring for the en$ironment in an indiscriminate manner 'ould bear no fruit
Window*dressing or genuine commitment#
Ekram Kabir
!here are times, in this era of Internet, the sic% and distressed are seen using the @et to as% for
help Aast 'ee%, such an email 'ent around the 'eb portals 1 89<#earild father, George /inslet,
and his 'ife 'ere as%ing help for their daughter, 7achel, 'ho is 19 months old 6octors detected
cancer in her brain !here is onl# one 'a# to sa$e her( an operation Sadl#, the parents didn>t ha$e
enough mone# to pa# the cost of brain surger# 1merica 2nline and U6@;! had come for'ard to
help the child, b# pa#ing part of the operation cost
B# definition, corporate social responsibilit# 4-S75 is all about businesses ploughing some of
their profits bac% into the societ# In doing so, graduall# -S7 initiati$es are also being
corporatised If a compan#, as part of its -S7 acti$ities, 'ants to put its mone# in healthcare, it
sets up a hospital or gi$es mone# to a hospital But 'hat if less affluent patients li%e 7achel 'ho
need mone# for their treatment for ma?or illnessD /here do the# goD -an the# approach an#
corporation for helpD
@o', 'h# did 12A and U6@;! agree to help 7achelD Because if her father George /inslet sent
his email to a large number of people, and as%ed the mail<recei$ers to send it again to other
people, 12A could trac% this email and count ho' man# people got the mail =or e$er# person
'ho opens this email and sends it to at least fi$e people, 12A 'ould gi$e 89 cents for 7achel>s
operation
/h# 'ould 12A pa# 89 cents for each of the fi$e people opening the emailD Because b# opening
the email, the# are helping to e*pand 12A>s business, either b# directl# using 12A portal or b#
indirectl# contributing to the business of e<commerce @o', 'ould this be called -S7 of 12A or
U6@;!D Partiall#, ma#beD But the fact remains that -S7 acti$ities are not all that self<less& there
is a certain business goal behind it Is -S7 a mere 'indo'<dressing rather than a genuine
commitmentD
=igures from a sur$e# of companies in the 30>s =!S; 8G9 inde* might substantiate an ans'er
that man# e*ecuti$es are more concerned about image than substance 1ccording to a report b# a
Aondon<based public relations consultantc# firm, Pielle -onsulting Group, in 84 per cent of the
organisations sur$e#ed, responsibilit# for -S7 acti$ities rests 'ith the corporate communications
or public affairs departments 1lmost a third < 39 per cent < $ie'ed the %e# benefit of establishing
a dialogue 'ith sta%eholders as helping Bidentif# %e# acti$ities for public affairs or areas of
reputation managementB
But some campaigners are unperturbed b# the fact that in man# companies, -S7 is still
considered to be a Bsoft issueB and relegated to the public relations or corporate communications
department Aeo Martin, a director of Aondon<based Good -orporation, is :uoted as sa#ing that
man# companies $ie' adopting or promoting -S7 as primaril# an image<building e*ercise B!he
impression that companies are ?umping on the -S7 band'agon and are more focused on image
than substance is reinforced b# companies that ha$e seen their competitors producing fat, gloss#
reports on their -S7 policies and decide the# 'ant to do the same !hose reports ha$e been
rightl# criticised because the# ha$e, sa#, photographs of people in some poor 1frican $illage that
the# ha$e helped, but there are no details about the compan#>s treatment of emplo#ees in that
countr# or ho' it treats its suppliers there,B he continues
But, Martin points out, once a compan# begins to embrace -S7, for 'hate$er reason, it doesn>t
ta%e long for the sense of responsibilit# to permeate throughout the organisation BIt might start
off in the public relations department or 'ith specialist, add<on -S7 teams, but it 'ill e$entuall#
'or% its 'a# into e$er# area of the business,B he comments
1nother opinion on corporate responsibilit# sa#s( B1 compan# that has been a'are of social
responsibilit# for long 'ill ha$e seen the upside !he more the# understand it, the more the# 'ill
see the opportunit# that is inherent in being a responsible corporationB
1n anal#sis is re:uired 'hether corporations reall# belie$e in their social responsibilities or -S7
issues are ?ust another form of ad$ertisement for the corporation 1gain, as it is said earlier in this
piece, 'hen a compan#, as part of its -S7, contributes to a countr#>s healthcare, it usuall# spends
its mone# on a health establishment But 'hen < in the process < that same health establishment
itself becomes a BcorporationB, can that be ?ustified as -S7D It ma# so turn out that after
ac:uiring a corporate entit#, the health unit 'ould stop recei$ing charit# mone# from other
companies But, then, 'ould this health establishment render free treatment to the need# patients
li%e 7achelD
$ European ramework
Ekram Kabir
1n increasing number of companies across ;urope are coming up in promoting their corporate
social responsibilit# 4-S75 strategies responding to a $ariet# of social, en$ironmental and
economic pressures In fact, ;uropean companies seem more sincere in setting their -S7 goals,
as the ;uropean -ommission published a Green Paper for the their companies to follo'
-S7 is, sa#s the Green Paper, essentiall# a concept 'hereb# companies decide $oluntaril# to
contribute to the creation of a better societ# and a cleaner en$ironment !he Paper also aimed to
trigger a 'ide debate and see% $ie's on -S7 at national, ;uropean and international le$els
Most definitions describe -S7 as a concept 'hereb# companies integrate social and
en$ironmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction 'ith their
sta%eholders on a $oluntar# basis
!he Green Paper sa#s that being sociall# responsible means not onl# fulfilling legal e*pectations,
but also going be#ond compliance and in$esting BmoreB into human -S7 should ne$ertheless not
be capital, the en$ironment and the seen, sa#s the Paper, as a substitute relations 'ith
sta%eholders !he e*perience 'ith in$estment in en$ironmentall# responsible technologies and
business practice suggests that going be#ond legal compliance can contribute to a compan#+s
competiti$eness Going be#ond basic legal obligations in the social area ;g, training, 'or%ing
conditions, management emplo#ee relations, can also ha$e a direct impact on producti$it#,
thereb# opening a 'a# of managing change and of reconciling social de$elopment 'ith impro$ed
competiti$eness
-S7 should ne$ertheless not be seen, sa#s the Paper, as a substitute to regulation or legislation
concerning social rights or en$ironmental standards, including the de$elopment of ne'
appropriate legislation In countries 'here such regulations do not e*ist, efforts should focus on
putting the proper regulator# or legislati$e frame'or% in place in order to define a le$el pla#ing
field on the basis of 'hich sociall# responsible practices can be de$eloped, the Paper suggest
/hilst -S7 is being mainl# promoted b# a number of large or multinational companies, it should
be rele$ant to all t#pes of companies and all sectors of acti$it#, including SM;s Its 'ider
application in SM;s including micro<businesses is of central importance, sa#s the Paper, gi$en
that the# are the greatest contributors to the econom# and emplo#ment 1lthough man# SM;s in
;urope ha$e alread# ta%en up their social responsibilit#, particularl# through communit#
in$ol$ement, further a'areness raising and support to disseminate good practice are needed to
help promote -S7 among them
1 number of ;uropean companies 'ith good social and en$ironmental records indicate that these
acti$ities can result in better performance and can generate more profits and gro'th =or man#
companies, this is a ne' acti$it# and longer term e$aluation remains to be done, sa#s the Paper
!he economic impact of -S7 can be bro%en do'n into direct and indirect effects Positi$e direct
results, ma# for e*ample, deri$e from a better 'or%ing en$ironment, 'hich leads to a more
committed and producti$e 'or%force or from efficient use of natural resources In addition,
indirect effects result from the gro'ing attention of consumers and in$estors, 'hich 'ill increase
their opportunities on the mar%ets
In$ersel#, there can sometimes a negati$e impact on a compan#>s reputation due to criticism of
business practices
!his can affect the core assets of a compan#, such as its brands and image, the Paper sa#s
!here are man# factors 'hich are dri$ing this mo$e to'ards -S7 !he factors include(
a ne' concerns and e*pectations from citi"ens, consumers, public authorities and in$estors in
the conte*t of globalisation and large scale industrial change&
b social criteria are increasingl# influencing the in$estment decisions of indi$iduals and
institutions both as consumers and as in$estors&
c increased concern about the damage caused b# economic acti$it# to the en$ironment& and
d transparenc# of business acti$ities brought about b# the media and modem information and
communication technologies&
1lthough the prime responsibilit# of a compan# is to generate profits, companies can at the same
time contribute to social and en$ironmental ob?ecti$es through integration of -S7 as a strategic
in$estment into their core business strateg# and their management instruments and their
operations
-ompanies should pursue, suggests the Paper, the social responsibilit# internationall# as 'ell as
in ;urope, including through their 'hole suppl# chain !he Aisbon ;uropean -ouncil made a
special appeal to companies> sense of social responsibilit# regarding best practices on lifelong
learning, 'or% organisation, e:ual opportunities, social inclusion and sustainable de$elopment
!he -ommission>s ;uropean Social 1genda, subse:uentl# supported b# the ;uropean -ouncil in
@ice, emphasised the role of -S7 in addressing the emplo#ment and social conse:uences of
economic and mar%et integration and in adapting 'or%ing conditions to the ne' econom# In
addition the ;uropean Summit in @ice in$ited the ;- to in$ol$e companies in a partnership 'ith
the social partners, @G9s, local authorities and bodies that manage social ser$ices, so as to
strengthen their social responsibilit#
1t the international le$el, through policies such as trade and de$elopment co<operation, the
;uropean 3nion is directl# in$ol$ed in issues concerning mar%et beha$iour
-S7, sa#s the Paper, has also a strong human rights dimension, particularl# in relation to
international operations and global suppl# chains
/hile companies increasingl# recognise their social responsibilit#, man# of them ha$e #et to
adopt management practices that reflect it !he# ha$e to integrate it in their da#<to<da#
management in$ol$ing their 'hole suppl# chain, companies> emplo#ees and managers need
training and retraining in order to ac:uire the necessar# s%ills and competence Pioneering
companies can help to, mainstream sociall# responsible practice b# disseminating best practices
Creating an e*happy society
Ekram Kabir
Is e<go$ernance sufficientl# understood in BangladeshD BSimple, e<go$ernance is electronic
go$ernance,B sa#s Uiaur 7ahman, a =acult# of Manarat International 3ni$ersit#, 'hile tal%ing to
!he =inancial ;*press
BIt encompasses all aspects of go$ernance, be it a go$ernment agenc# or a pri$ate organisation
that uses the electronic media in running its operations,B sa#s 7ahman, 'ho>s also in$ol$ed in e<
commerce through his Bee<%reecom Ce sa#s BManaging an enterprise through the use of I-!
can ma%e, it efficient, transparent and accountable It can also ensure a definite and accelerated
gro'th of an econom#
;<go$ernance allo's an organisation or a state to sa$e time, reduce needless mo$ements of files
and curb en$ironmental pollution and ha"ards due to less use of natural resources and dramatic
cut in transportation and human resource costs
Co'e$er, 'hat rele$ance does e<go$ernance ha$e in Bangladesh 'hen the countr# is alread#
mired in po$ert#D
7ahman sa#s( BIn the era of digital di$ide, Bangladesh is about to fall on the 'rong side of the
di$ide !his is an alarming situation and Bangladesh needs put itself on the trac% of the >ne'
econom#> 'here the 'orld is becoming increasingl# interrelated 'ith information tra$eling at
lightning speed It is common %no'ledge that >speed> and )efficienc#> are %e# elements of a
successful organisationB
-ountries in toda#>s business landscape of global and Internet commerce must act more and more
li%e an organisation for it to succeed If a countr# fails to plan an effecti$e strateg# for economic
and technological ad$ancement b# misallocating its hard earned funds, it is destined to lag
behind 6ue to intense ri$alr# amongst countries ?oc%e#ing for position in the international arena
for in$estments, research and o$erall abilit# to attract and retain the top brains of the 'orld,
Bangladesh cannot 'aste its time in a debate >'hether e<go$ernance is good for Bangladesh or
not>
BAet us put things into perspecti$e and understand the $er# idea that e<go$ernance is all about
deficienc# and transparenc# enhancement,B sa#s 7ahman, the @ational !rainer of Nunior -hamber
Bangladesh, adding( BLes, a fe' ?obs need to be consolidated& ho'e$er, through proper training
and gradual phasing out of e*cess labour, pains of instituting e<go$ernance 'ould not be felt
seriousl# and the general public 'ould not be disenfranchised because of the go$ernent+s
intention to introduce e go$ernance in all 'al%s of lifeB
BImagine,B 7ahman points out, B#ou are pa#ing for all #our income ta*es o$er the Internet
connected to the central database of Income !a* 6epartment /ouldn>t life become smoother
because #ou ha$e complete command o$er #our ta*esD Perhaps, #ou ma# not need to depend on
income ta* consultants 'ho al'a#s seem to ha$e all the rele$ant %no'ledgeK
!he en$elope of gro'th 'ill stagnate for those countries failing to plan its future and slo'l# fall
into the pit of po$ert# and undernourishment, sa#s 7ahman
Benefits of e<go$ernance are :uite immense 1ccording to 7ahman, J;<go$ernance offers both
tangible and intangible benefits Since all aspects of go$ernance 'ill be carried out through e<
go$ernance, the cost 'ould fall substantiall# in running operationK
B# instituting reforms, this entire management function ma# be reduced b# a large percentage
and sa$e much needed resources Much of the functions that are routine ma# be ta%en out of
human inter$ention and allo' an electronic mechanism to be substituted for it !his 'ill clearl#
allo' for ensuring accurac#, transparenc# and "ero do'n time B# deplo#ing e<go$ernance across
tric%le do'n to other organi"ations, impro$ing their organi"ations and facilitating intangible
benefits ;<go$ernance itself 'ill create gro'th areas in the ser$ice sector 'here s%illed human
resource ma# engage in consulting, soft'are de$elopment, human resource e*ports, etc
=inall#, sa#s 7ahman, the image of a countr# depends hea$il# on its pro'ess in the technolog#
arena If Bangladesh becomes e<go$ernance compliant and has a multitude of e<go$ernance
initiati$es in functional form, it 'ill lend international status among the polit# of ad$anced
nations
But does Bangladesh ha$e enough infrastructures and manpo'er to implement e<go$ernanceD
Sadl#, stresses 7ahman, in spite of ha$ing all the intents and purposes among the different
:uarters of the intellectual class for the implementation of e<go$ernance, it is in its nascent state
in Bangladesh
J!he reasons are aplent# Bangladesh, being a poor econom#, has to ?uggle 'ith so man# negati$e
factors that actuall# holds it bac% from in$esting in secondar# or tertiar# areas of ad$ancement
Co'e$er, 'e as a countr# must understand that the age of incremental ad$ancement has
$anished In the gro'th cur$e, one perhaps ma# need to leap to a different platforms ha$ing full
cogni"ance that some rungs of the )%no'ledge ladder+ ha$e been circum$ented,K he sa#s
-iting an e*ample, 7ahman refers to the mobile communication sector 'here Bangladesh
leapfrogged to ad$anced -6M1 technolog# 'ithout going through the con$entional logic of
gradual technological ad$ancement 0eeping this $ision in mind Bangladesh ought to leapfrog
into digital landscape, li%e Mala#sia or India, and dri$e the agenda of immediate and
un:uestioning implementation of e<go$ernance initiati$es sector b# sector, 7ahman suggests !he
go$ernment should also gi$e ta* incenti$es for organisations that 'ill pa# ta*es electronicall#,
ha$e its o'n 'ebsite and be connected to e<mar%ets and promote electronic commerce 'ithin the
our territorial boundar# and also facilitate global e<commerce
!he go$ernment should also allo' organisations, 7ahman emphasises, to participate in bidding
for contracts o$er the Internet or the intranet that the go$ernment ma# set up and be accessed b#
the public !he $oting s#stem and database of $oters ma# also be migrated to the net for global
$ie'ing In$estment in training and a'areness is %e# to a successful implementation of these
much<needed e<go$ernance reforms !he go$ernment, along 'ith the pri$ate sector, must in$ol$e
them in the general uplift of Bangladesh, he adds
)Aife+s Good+, so is AG;+s commitments
;%ram 0abir
1t the fag end of last #ear, the South 0orean electronics giant AG ;lectronics 4AG;5 has changed
its brand slogan to reflect, 'hat it said, its commitment to customers !he ne' slogan, )Aife+s
Good+, has been $er# successfull# rolled out in a number of mar%ets across the Middle ;ast and
1frica
J1fter a number of successful #ears running its )6igitall# Lours+ brand slogan, AG; is
reinforcing its commitment to getting closer to its customers and enriching their li$es, )Camad
Mali%, Senior Manager . Mar%eting and -ommunications, AG; Middle ;ast and 1frica, 'as
:uoted as sa#ing
Indeed, AG; stri$es to meet its social commitments, 'hich it calls corporate social responsibilit#
4-S75 AG; sa#s it al'a#s conducts its corporate affairs 'ith the people in mind Since its
beginning, it has ta%en the lead in the 0orean electronics industr# to create a con$enient and
happ# societ# for all 1fter #ears of contributions to public 'elfare, AG; has not onl# gro'n into
a national corporation, but it has also become a global corporation
1mong its -S7 acti$ities, sponsoring the Hilla de Aas @inas, a girls+ house in Me*ico run b# a
mission group is :uite prominent !he house offers free technical education to po$ert#<stric%en
children in Me*ico
AG; has also sponsored free surgical operations for babies 'ith harelips in impo$erished regions
that lac% medical resources, li%e certain places in the meddle ;ast and 1frica, emplo#ing the
ser$ices of a speciali"ed medical team from 0orea In so doing, AG; pro$ides these children 'ith
precious opportunities to li$e ne' li$es
In !hailand, AG; is currentl# 'or%ing 'ith the !hai go$ernment in an anti<drug campaign
because drug abuse is a ma?or problem there Aast #ear, AG; launched a hi%e across the countr#
as $olunteers tra$eled a total of F9, %m from -hiang Mai to Bang%o%
!he compan# also imparts education It has established the AG -olour !H Hillage in -hina 'ith
an aim to de$elop a bac%'ard agricultural $illage It also raised the AG Cope Primar# School, a
children+s school 'ith in the $illage, 'hich 'as also a recipient of AG;+s donation of pro?ection
!Hs and computers
In celebration of the 49
th
anni$ersar# of the 0orea<Iran diplomatic ties in 8998, AG; created a
touchstone, called the Seoul Street Aandmar%, in the name of AG, and donated it to the cit# of
!eheran
AG; also supported campaigns to donate used computers to orphanages in ;g#pt !he compan#
in$ited !ur%ish $eterans, 'ho fought in the 0orean /ar, to 0orea AG ;lectronics also sponsored
the crippled children soccer club in the @etherlands, and the establishment of a rehabilitation
center in 7ussia for children suffering from tumour
AG; belie$es, according to a$ailable information, that a Jcorporate citi"enK is a corporation that
not onl# pursues profits but also underta%es certain responsibilities and obligations to the
communit# !his 'as seen in Nune 8993 'hen AG; launched a Social Ser$ice Group composed
of 899<odd members from each AG ;lectronics 'or%place across 0orea !hese cause<oriented
indi$iduals 'ill engage in rescue and support during national disasters
/ith gro'ing popularit# Badu% in -IS 47ussian Badu% 1ssociation has more than 39,999
registered pla#ers5, AG ;lectronics has made Badu% part of its cultural mar%eting acti$ities b#
hosting Badu% tournament games in $arious cities around -IS region since 199, 'ith resounding
success In 7ussia, Jbadu% fe$erK is heating up, 'ith registered pla#ers reaching 39,999
AG ;lectronics also set its $ision and policies for a cleaner en$ironment b# selecting the global
en$ironmental issue as an impro$ement tas% for management !he compan# focuses on
de$eloping green products befitting its stature as a global pla#er It announced JAG 6eclaration
for a -leaner ;n$ironmentK in 1994 and made it one of its cornerstones in business operation
Bangladesh is one of the biggest consuming countries of AG; products Its products ha$e alread#
been recei$ed 'ell b# Bangladeshi bu#ers 7efrigerators, tele$ision sets, personal computers etc,
are the most popular appliances that AG; mar%ets in Bangladesh !he compan# also has immense
potentials in this countr# and the compan# is li%el# to gro' here
Co'e$er, e$en if the compan# has a lot of contributions, the media has little information of
AG;+s -S7 acti$ities in Bangladesh !his lac% of information might ad$ersel# contribute to its
sale here =or, the sense of li%ing the companies 'ho ha$e -S7 acti$ities is gro'ing among the
consumers in Bangladesh AG; 'ould do better if it prepares its -S7 report on Bangladesh
Microsoft+s nonprofit ideals
;%ram 0abir
In 1pril 8998, Microsoft -orp, the 'orld+s largest soft'are compan#, ?oined hands 'ith Sir
;lton Nohn 1I6S =oundation to generate a'areness and raise mone# for CIHI1I6S pre$ention It
announced the MS@ Mone# -elebrit# Mar%et -hallenge featuring ;lton Nohn -onsumers can
log on to -@B- on MS@ Mone# and learn ho' to impro$e their stoc%<pic%ing s%ills 'hile ta%ing
part in a $irtual portfolio contest that supports global education about one of the 'orld+s deadliest
diseases
2n behalf of each participant, Microsoft donates G9 cents to the ;lton Nohn =oundation, an
international nonprofit organi"ation founding CIHI1I6S pre$ention education programmes and
direct patient ser$ices 'orld'ide
-hris Nolle#, director of mar%eting for the =inancial Products Group at Microsoft 'as :uoted as
sa#ing( J!he MS@ Mone# -elebrit# Mar%et -hallenge is a ris%<free and fun 'a# for consumers
to e*periment 'ith online stoc%<pic%ing 'hile becoming familiar 'ith the internet+s assortment of
useful financial resources and toolsK
!his is ho' Microsoft tries its best to help people affected b# CIHI1I6S It sa#s business is built
on relationships . 'ith its customers, partners, in$estors, emplo#ees, and 'ith the communities
'here the compan# perform Microsoft, according to its 'eb site, is committed to creating
inno$ati$e ne' technologies to empo'er people 'ith disabilities, and support and ad$ance open
technolog# standards to strengthen communities 'orld'ide
JMicrosoft+s mission is to throughout the 'orld to reali"e their full potential,K Bill Gates, the
-hairman and -hief Soft'are 1rchitect of the compan#, has been :uoted as sa#ing man# times
-reated in 19,3, Microsoft -ommunit# 1ffairs 'as one of the first philanthropic efforts in the
high<tech industr# Microsoft 3P 43nlimited Potential5 is a global programme that focuses on
impro$ing lifelong learning for disad$antaged #oung people and adults b# pro$iding technolog#
s%ills through communit#<based technolog# and learning centers Aast #ear alone, Microsoft and
its emplo#ees ga$e more than E84F9 million in cash and soft'are around the 'orld to help
people and communities reali"e their potential
Microsoft and the school 6istrict of Philadelphia ha$e teamed up on a 3SE4F million pro?ect to
build the Jschool of the futureK !o accomplish this mission, Microsoft 'ill pro$ide a monthl#
chronicle to the partners, the customers, and the internal Microsoft sta%eholders 1t the end of the
pro?ect, Microsoft 'ill ha$e a stor# of ho' a school district, a compan#, and hundreds of people
made a difference in li$es of children e$er#'here Philadelphia 'as chosen as the school site
because the# as%ed
;mbar%ing on a pro?ect such as School of the =uture brought 'ith it man# challenges& current
infrastructures and technolog# initiati$es, political e$ents, internal apprehensions and conflicting
priorities Co'e$er, the people in$ol$ed in this pro?ect are dedicated to %ids !he# are committed
to ma%ing sure that nothing short of the best is a$ailable to the students of Philadelphia and the#
belie$e that an#thing is possible
In the Mission 6istrict of San =rancisco, more than 199 organisations benefited from Microsoft+s
-onnected Aearning -ommunit# Programme 1rriba Nuntos, Spanish for Jup'ard together,K is a
nonprofit career<de$elopment agenc# 'hich for the pat 3G #ears, has helped lo' income people
and minorities, primaril# Aatinos, find secure, permanent ?obs
!he programme also see%s to enhance the education and communication of indi$iduals in
disad$antaged communities b# e*panding access to information technolog# Bruce Broo%s,
Microsoft+s 6irector of -ommunit# 1ffairs, belie$es the programme offers an effecti$e 'a# to
pro$ide technolog# access directl# to underser$ed communities
!his #ear also, in an effort to increase 'orld'ide computer literac# and reduce the global digital
di$ide in technolog# s%ills, Microsoft announced a second round of 3nlimited Potential 43P5
grants totaling more than 3SE8G million in cash and soft'are for more than 79 nonprofit
organi"ations
Aast #ear, Microsoft boss Bill Gates had granted E8,<million 4about 789G<million5 to a Southern
1frican 1I6S instituti$e 'hich is to e*amine the effecti$eness of late* diaphragms as a
pre$entati$e measure for CIHI1I6S $ictims @ine global corporate house operating in
de$eloping countries pledge their contributions to the ongoing battle against 1I6S 'orld'ide
1ccording to the Global =und to =ight 1I6S, !uberculosis and Malaria, India+s !ata Steel and
eight other global companies . 1nglo 1merican, -he$ron !e*aco, Bristol<M#ers<S:uibb, 6aimler
-hr#sler, ;s%om, Ceine%en, Aafarge and Pfi"er . ha$e pledged to con<in$est in e*panding
CIHI1I6S programmes using their o'n mone# and infrastructure !he companies 'ill set up
pilot programmes in Ghana, -ameroon, @igeria, India and 7ussia
In Bangladesh, sa#s e*perts, and CIHI1I6S epidemic is about to e*plode 1n# time, the disease
could %ill a large number of people It is e*pected that the companies 'hich are operating their
-S7 acti$ities in Bangladesh 'ould emulate Microsoft+s success in CIHI1I6S research and
pre$ention B# doing so, these companies 'ould go a long 'a# . both in terms of de$eloping the
communit# and also in building their o'n image