“HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE CORPORATE RIGHTS”

When humans lived in forests, they enjoyed all rights bestowed by nature; they could sustain themselves anywhere without formalities. As time passed, they became dependent on specific activities for their livelihood. Today, people must engage in some form of employment to sustain themselves. In modern times, these activities have evolved into large corporate organizations where thousands of people work for their livelihoods. This is where human rights violations in the corporate world begin. This chapter details which rights are protected within this corporate environment and the extent to which they are being violated. The primary objective of human rights protection, supported by the United Nations (UN), is to safeguard individuals against the arbitrary actions of states and their governments. By issuing a declaration on human rights against the state in 1929, an international legal body conveyed a significant message regarding human rights values. The UN Charter accords a prominent place to human rights; its Preamble and Article 76 contain provisions promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms. Today, human rights violations within labor policies pose a major challenge, as there is no comprehensive mechanism to ensure the protection of human rights during corporate operations. UN Principle 15 mandates the inclusion of human rights responsibilities within corporate policies. There is an urgent need for a corporate human rights policy that encompasses economic, political and workplace-related rights—such as non-discrimination, the prohibition of child labor, occupational health and safety, quality standards, and maternity benefits. This chapter sheds light on the issue of human rights violations in the corporate sector and offers relevant suggestions. It also attempts to explain the challenges involved in implementing human rights in the corporate world and discusses the future landscape of human rights.