Responsible business practices
Decent work, CSR for competitive and productive enterprises
Representatives of enterprises and business organizations from the Western Visayas region are introduced to an innovative programme from the International Labour Organization, the Organisation for Economic Development, and the European Union.
BACOLOD, Philippines (EU-ILO-ECOP news) – Entrepreneurs, business managers and officials from employer associations in Western Visayas attended workshop on implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Philippine businesses. Co-hosted by the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Visayas, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Responsible Supply Chains in Asia project – an OECD/ILO/ EU collaboration, the seminar explored the opportunities to improve compliance with international labour standards to improve the competitiveness of businesses.
“Inclusion of good business practices helps businesses to be competitive not only in the local market but also globally,” said Donna Rose Ratilla, Regional Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Western Visayas.
The more than fifty (50) participants in the event were introduced to the “CSR training module” tool developed by the ILO’s Multinational Enterprises and Enterprise Engagement Unit (ENT/MULTI) and SCORE (Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises) teams. The tool, which trains businesses and workers in responsible business practices, will be implemented in conjunction with ECOP, the leading umbrella organization of Philippine employers dealing with labor and social policy issues.
Speaking at the workshop, Stephan Ulrich, Regional Programme Manager of SCORE stressed the importance of good business practices in boosting development opportunities for the Philippines. “Sustainable enterprises are the main generators of decent jobs and therefore an engine of sustainable development,” he said.
Jose Roland Moya, Director General of ECOP, noted that understanding of CSR in the Philippine context continues to evolve: “Often we look at CSR from the philanthropic point view,” he said. “(However), in this workshop we look at it from the point of view of principles, sustainability and competitiveness.”
The Responsible Supply Chains in Asia programme is targeting the agriculture (food exporting) sector in the Philippines and aims to educate and build the capacity of firms to implement socially responsible labour practices. Such practices, well executed, can make businesses more competitive and productive while at the same time demonstrating respect for human and labour rights.
The seminar focused on enterprises and associations in the agriculture and food sectors of the Western Visayas region. The programme plans to conduct training activities to strengthen the capacities of different actors in the agriculture sector, in particular, business associations, MNEs, SMEs, and business development services (BDS) providers across the country.
The Responsible Supply Chains in Asia Project is being implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union to increase knowledge and understanding on corporate social responsibility and responsible business conduct in six Asian countries – China, Japan, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. It uses as a basis for its research, outreach, policy advocacy and training internationally recognised guidelines on responsible business conduct, the ILO’s MNE declaration and the OECD’s Guidelines for multinational enterprises.
For more information about the Responsible Supply Chains in Asia Project, visit www.ilo.org/rsca
“Inclusion of good business practices helps businesses to be competitive not only in the local market but also globally,” said Donna Rose Ratilla, Regional Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Western Visayas.
The more than fifty (50) participants in the event were introduced to the “CSR training module” tool developed by the ILO’s Multinational Enterprises and Enterprise Engagement Unit (ENT/MULTI) and SCORE (Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises) teams. The tool, which trains businesses and workers in responsible business practices, will be implemented in conjunction with ECOP, the leading umbrella organization of Philippine employers dealing with labor and social policy issues.
Speaking at the workshop, Stephan Ulrich, Regional Programme Manager of SCORE stressed the importance of good business practices in boosting development opportunities for the Philippines. “Sustainable enterprises are the main generators of decent jobs and therefore an engine of sustainable development,” he said.
Jose Roland Moya, Director General of ECOP, noted that understanding of CSR in the Philippine context continues to evolve: “Often we look at CSR from the philanthropic point view,” he said. “(However), in this workshop we look at it from the point of view of principles, sustainability and competitiveness.”
The Responsible Supply Chains in Asia programme is targeting the agriculture (food exporting) sector in the Philippines and aims to educate and build the capacity of firms to implement socially responsible labour practices. Such practices, well executed, can make businesses more competitive and productive while at the same time demonstrating respect for human and labour rights.
The seminar focused on enterprises and associations in the agriculture and food sectors of the Western Visayas region. The programme plans to conduct training activities to strengthen the capacities of different actors in the agriculture sector, in particular, business associations, MNEs, SMEs, and business development services (BDS) providers across the country.
The Responsible Supply Chains in Asia Project is being implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union to increase knowledge and understanding on corporate social responsibility and responsible business conduct in six Asian countries – China, Japan, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. It uses as a basis for its research, outreach, policy advocacy and training internationally recognised guidelines on responsible business conduct, the ILO’s MNE declaration and the OECD’s Guidelines for multinational enterprises.
For more information about the Responsible Supply Chains in Asia Project, visit www.ilo.org/rsca