What can start-ups, small and medium businesses do to advance the global human rights agenda?

Human rights are the universal foundation of our society. Simply put, human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death. They aim to protect the dignity of all human beings regardless of race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity, language, or religion [1].

Human rights as we know them today were originally established by the United Nations after the Second World War in 1948 in a document known as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since its creation, almost all the 185 member states of the United Nations have incorporated these non-binding principles into their constitutions [2].

Human rights are a fundamental aspect of ethical and responsible business practices. Human rights considerations are important for small businesses for several reasons:

1. Legal compliance: Small businesses have a legal obligation to comply with human rights laws and regulations. Failure to comply can result in legal consequences, including fines and legal action, which can harm the business's reputation and bottom line.

2. Reputation: Small businesses rely heavily on their reputation to attract customers and clients. If a small business is known to violate human rights, it can damage its reputation and lose customers, leading to a loss of revenue.

3. Employee retention: Treating employees with dignity and respect is an essential part of human rights. Small businesses that do not respect the human rights of their employees are likely to experience high turnover rates, which can be costly in terms of recruitment, training, and lost productivity.

4. Social responsibility: Small businesses have a responsibility to contribute positively to the communities in which they operate. Respect for human rights is an important aspect of social responsibility, and small businesses that violate human rights can harm the communities they operate in.

5. Ethical considerations: Many small business owners have a strong sense of ethics and morality. Respecting human rights is a fundamental ethical principle, and small businesses that violate human rights may violate the ethical standards of their owners and managers.

CASE STUDY: A SPOTLIGHT ON THE MENA REGION

Despite global support for the principles set out by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, regions across the globe and in particular, the MENA region, still have a long way to go. One of the more recent examples that comes to mind was during the preparations for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which made headlines for the many construction workers experiencing exploitation and abuse. Migrant labourers, largely from Africa and Asia, were found to be exposed to forced labour, unpaid wages, excessive working hours, and unsafe working conditions. There have also been numerous occasions of journalists, political dissidents and human rights activists being persecuted in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Oman, limiting the fundamental human right of freedom of expression. Human rights have also been noticeably absent from discussions in recent Gulf Cooperation Council summits - a regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic union comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates - a worrying indication of a potential regression of human rights in the political agenda of the region [3]. However, there is hope for the seemingly degrading human rights situation due to numerous demographic, economic, social and technological drivers that are already at work to push renewed demands.

WHAT CAN SMALL BUSINESSES DO?

There are several ways in which small businesses can improve their commitment to human rights:

1. Develop a human rights policy: Small businesses should develop a human rights policy that outlines their commitment to respect human rights. This policy should cover all aspects of the business, including employees, customers, suppliers, and the community.

2. Conduct human rights due diligence: Small businesses should conduct human rights due diligence to identify and address any potential human rights risks associated with their operations. This may involve conducting assessments, engaging with stakeholders, and implementing measures to prevent or mitigate risks.

3. Train employees: Small businesses should provide training to employees on human rights issues, including discrimination, harassment, and other human rights violations. This can help employees understand the importance of human rights and how to identify and address potential violations.

4. Engage with suppliers: Small businesses should engage with their suppliers to ensure that they respect human rights. This may involve conducting assessments of suppliers' human rights practices and implementing measures to encourage suppliers to improve their practices.

5. Respect labor rights: Small businesses should respect labor rights, including fair wages, working hours, and safe working conditions. This can help to prevent labor exploitation and improve employee well-being.

6. Respect customer rights: Small businesses should respect customer rights, including privacy, fair treatment, and access to information. This can help to build trust with customers and improve the reputation of the business.

7. Engage with the community: Small businesses should engage with the community to understand their human rights concerns and work to address them. This can involve collaborating with local organizations, supporting community initiatives, and implementing measures to minimize any negative impacts on the community.