Editorial
Corporate bodies avoid responsibility
CSR not part of company vision
A survey conducted recently by an international organisation took a look at 24 companies and their contributions to social development. It was found that only four companies had some form of social development schemes running under the aegis of "corporate social responsibility." Although nearly half the respondents hold the belief that CSR and compliance would increase their business opportunities, yet only 16 per cent actually make the effort to do something about it.
Although the ministry of labour made amendments to the Labour Act-2013 that made it mandatory for private companies to have a 10 per cent apprentice system, the survey has found that 79 per cent companies have no such system in place. While the authorities seem very happy to have made changes to the law there appears to be no concerted effort to make companies compliant to the amendment. Unless the private sector comes forward to make provisions to induct unemployed youth, the drafting of laws or their amendment hardly have any impact.
It would seem that some corporate bodies liken CSR to the beautification of the city. On the contrary, if implemented properly CSR could be used to fund meaningful projects like combating child labour or reaching out to vulnerable children and youth engaged in hazardous work environments. While one such pilot programme is being implemented by an international organisation, it is up to the ministry of labour to make sure the private sector complies with the Labour Act to bring about meaningful change in society and economy.
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