“Why businesses fail to engage with human rights” 

“Over the last few weeks we have been conducting a number of interviews with businesses about human rights, human trafficking and modern day slavery...It has become increasingly clear that in many industries, deep down supply chains where auditors rarely visit, there are many examples of human rights abuses. In our work on the shrimp value chain we have highlighted cases of [such abuses]...Whilst some of the companies…are well aware of the risks associated with human rights abuses…[i]t is rather worrying to see other companies who are not engaging in the issue…Amongst those companies…common responses [include]…Arguing that current initiatives have the problem covered…Feeling helpless…Shifting…responsibility…It is clear that stakeholder concerns over human rights abuses are [increasing]…Companies are…going to have to accept the problem, recognise risk and act… they should consider: Assessing human rights risks along the supply chain...Engaging with industry-wide initiatives…Partnering with the NGO community where significant expertise [exists]…advocating for more effective responses from governments and other regulatory agencies.