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#102 Benjamin Claeson & Babul Akhter: How to Undertake Worker-Centric Due Diligence

How can worker-centric models of due diligence help to better protect workers and communities worldwide from human rights abuses?

How can companies better integrate worker-centred approaches to their due diligence processes?

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Richard Howitt was joined by Benjamin Claeson, Programme Officer at the Value Chains Unit at Swedwatch and author of the report “Overdue Diligence” on worker-centred due diligence, as well as Babul Akhter, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Garments & Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF).

Together they discussed why current efforts towards corporate due diligence are failing to adequately protect workers and communities globally, and how stronger engagement with worker-centred approaches can help bridge this gap. You’ll also hear about:

  • The general position of workers in Bangladesh
  • Examples of companies that are already imbedding worker-centred approaches in their due diligence mechanisms at different points in their supply chain  
  • The severe funding shortfall in worker-centred approaches to due diligence currently and why better financing is so important in protecting workers and communities across the world
  • Whether the Accord following the Rana Plaza tragedy in Bangladesh succeeded, and what has followed since  
  • Benjamin and Babul’s message to European companies  

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