Women workers harvesting leaves on a tea farm, Vietnam. Photo: Canva
Corporate responsibility
The role of business in an equal future
Businesses and the private sector are the largest employer globally, playing a major role in people's lives, indeed, in entire societies. At the same time, millions of people working in global supply chains find themselves in poverty and insecure working conditions. Oxfam works to support workers and farmers with the aim of ensuring that their human rights are respected and that they can live on their income. We press politicians and companies to act for a more equitable trading system and greater corporate responsibility in sustainability.
Our vision
We work to ensure that workers and small-scale farmers in global supply chains have decent, dignified jobs without discrimination and where they earn a living wage.
Businesses can play a critical role in the systemic changes needed to transform the lives of farmers and workers for the better. In particular, companies can make a difference by becoming better employers, buyers and partners with their suppliers, raising the bar on what constitutes ethical business, but they can also encourage governments to develop effective legislation.
Our challenge to companies
Oxfam challenges companies to move beyond mere compliance to actively impact positively on workers' working conditions in supply chains. By working with suppliers, civil society and governments, they can be a key player in changing the unequal systems that prevail.
With a deep understanding of human rights abuses in supply chains and their root causes, Oxfam encourages companies to focus on improving working conditions, combating gender discrimination and promoting livelihoods.
Our work is based on International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions, the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the Ethical Trading Initiative's (ETI) Basic Code. This provides us with a global framework specifically tailored for businesses. Whether we engage with or criticize a company, we shine a light on the impact that substandard sourcing practices have on working conditions, job security and incomes. We advocate for and advise on policies that improve the lives of the people who are most vulnerable. There is still much to do, but change is happening all the time, with companies at the forefront raising the bar for all.
Advocacy
We work to get governments to legislate on corporate responsibility for human rights and the environment. A level playing field for all companies is an important prerequisite for companies to take responsibility while remaining competitive. We also push companies to take steps themselves to improve working conditions and living standards for those at the bottom of the supply chain.
For example, we have been active in the work on the EU legislation Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which is intended to require companies in the EU to take responsibility for their impact on people, the environment and the climate.
Business cooperation
We work with companies that want to make a real difference. As a critical friend, we create an understanding of how companies' activities affect workers and farmers in their supply chains, and make recommendations.
Our partnerships
Reports with Swedish companies
Axfood, ICA, Coop, Greenfood (Transparent Dialogue Can Enable Stronger Human Rights Action)
2024-04
Axfood (Price Interventions As a Part of Living Income Strategies)
2023-03-06
Coop (The Workers Behind the Citrus Fruits)
2022-04-17
Systembolaget (The Workers Behind Sweden's Italian Wine)
2021-09-30