The pandemic tested organisations’ values in multiple ways and consumers noticed some of the disparities in how different organisations treated their customers, staff and communities. This hasn’t abated. From a social and ethical standpoint, consumers are looking to business to drive change and ensure no one is left behind. As part of this, respect for human rights and decent work for decent pay are simply a must – and this applies as much here in the UK as it does in far-flung parts of the global supply chain.
Sadly, there are still many, many people who are vulnerable to abuse and forced labour. A recent study by the World Benchmarking Alliance looking at 1,000 key companies, across more than 60 countries, confirmed some very sobering statistics: 99 percent of companies failed to demonstrate the fundamentals of socially responsible business conduct.
In this context, I was delighted to be joined at the latest In Conversation event by Dr Meg Brodie, partner in KPMG Banarra Australia who leads KPMG’s Business & Human Rights Network, and Lina Hilwani from KPMG UK’s ESG and Supply Chain team.