home
frankly speaking podcast

#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  

Listen in and follow us on LinkedIn and Youtube!

You may also like these episodes

34:56

#92 Siniša Milatović & Olena Uvarova: The Business Case for Human Rights

Can human rights due diligence improve corporate financial performance? Listen to Dr Siniša Milatović, Programme Manager at UNDP and Olena Uvarova, UNDP Business and Human Rights Specialist as well as Associate Professor at Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University in Ukraine

35:11

#91 Jiří Mravec & Antonín Šámal: What Heavy Industry Needs to Successfully Decarbonise

What are the major roadblocks in heavy industry’s pathway to decarbonisation? Listen to Jiří Mravec, Head of Innovation and Transformation at Třinecké železárny & Antonín Šámal, Research Fellow at the thinktank Association for International Affairs

33:53

#90 Nareeluc Pairchaiyapoom: Why the Global South Wants Mandatory Due Diligence

What are the reasons behind Thailand’s moves to introduce mandatory supply chain due diligence legislation? Listen to Nareeluc Pairchaiyapoom, Director of the International Human Rights Division at Thailand’s Ministry of Justice.