Environmental Protection Society

Business plays a positive role in improving global living standards across a wide range of areas, from labor and human rights to environmental protection. Society’s expectations of the private sector have never been greater, and these expectations are increasingly channeled into global norms on responsible business conduct. USCIB is uniquely positioned to address these norms. USCIB also ensures that the conversation around global norms is balanced so that governments are also held accountable when they fail to live up to their own human rights obligations.

In 2014, the Obama administration announced the United States would develop a National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct consistent with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. USCIB played a central role in organizing business input in the consultative process leading up to the development of the action plan, organizing the first of several open dialogues between U.S. officials and stakeholders in New York City. USCIB’s privileged access to the International Labor Organization, the OECD and other international bodies provides an important platform for us to act as a vocal advocate for business in norms-setting initiatives such as those related to implementation of the UN Guiding Principles. USCIB supports the UN principles’ mandate that governments are obligated to protect human rights and that businesses have a role in respecting human rights.

Attention also focused on Myanmar in 2014, as that country’s government made significant strides toward reform that have created opportunities for foreign investment. USCIB has stepped up its advocacy for business in Myanmar, particularly on issues related to investment and responsible business practices. USCIB has played a key role in the multi-stakeholder discussions hosted by the U.S. government and the International Labor Organization on business engagement with Myanmar going forward as the government seeks to bolster its relationship with U.S. businesses by improving its core regulatory capacity on labor and human rights issues of concern to U.S. businesses.

Activity continued with the implementation of the Better Work program, a joint initiative of the ILO and the International Finance Corporation to Bangladesh, following the tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza building where many garments for Western brands were being assembled. USCIB welcomed the program as a commitment by governments, in concert with global employers and trade unions, to improve working conditions in the country’s garment industry.