Context
Human rights due diligence has become a cornerstone of responsible business practices globally. Following the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights definition, it represents “an ongoing risk management process that a reasonable and prudent company needs to follow in order to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for how it addresses its adverse human rights impacts.”
The French Duty of Vigilance Law (2017) has established legally binding obligations for companies to develop and implement vigilance plans to identify and prevent human rights infringements. This case study examines how Ksapa supported a multinational company to conduct comprehensive human rights risk assessments across three distinct regions, using a framework closely aligned with client’s approach.
Implementing this comprehensive human rights risk assessment framework across our global operations was transformative. Not only did it help us identify region-specific challenges we hadn’t fully recognized, but it also provided clear, actionable mitigation strategies. The result has been improved relationships with local communities, enhanced workforce satisfaction, greater internal alignment, and more stable operations. Most importantly, we’re now confident that our business practices align with our values of respecting human dignity in every region where we operate.
Head of Social Performance
CLIENT challenge
Our client, a multinational company heavily relying on low skilled workers, with operations spanning three continents, needed to:
- Conduct thorough country-specific human rights risk assessments in selected markets located across Africa, Europe, and Latin America
- Align their approach with international standards and best practices
- Identify and prioritize region-specific human rights topics where their activities could have significant impacts
- Develop actionable mitigation strategies tailored to each regional context
Following client’s framework ensuring internal alignment on issues material to the construction industry, the assessment focused on five key areas:
- Labor migration and recruitment practices
- Working conditions (including health and safety)
- Living conditions
- Human rights practices in the value chain
- Impacts on local communities
RESULTS & IMPACT
For each selected market, a specific assessment and deliverable was undertaken. Local executives briefed for discussion and empowerment on challenges and mitigative measures available. Here’s a brief overview of some geographical trends identified across continents.
Africa
- Identified high risks in labor migration and informal recruitment channels
- Implemented direct hiring practices and eliminated recruitment fees
- Established enhanced monitoring of subcontractor labor practices
Europe
- Discovered medium risk regarding significant obesity patterns and proactive adaptation of the workplace as deem appropriate
- Identified recruitment fees risks affecting migrant workers recruited through third party in Asia, and solutions to eliminate practice likely occurring for specific contracted segments
- Conduct comprehensive anti-discrimination assessment faced by migrant workers
Latin America
- Uncovered high risks regarding security arrangements and community conflicts
- Implemented human rights guidelines for security providers
- Established community grievance mechanisms and consultation procedures
The comprehensive approach led to:
- Proactive compliance with emerging regulations
- Enhanced stakeholder relationships
- Improved operational stability across all regions
- Significant reduction in project delays related to social conflicts
call to action
Is your multinational operation prepared to meet the growing human rights due diligence requirements across diverse regional contexts? Contact our expert team today to implement a comprehensive risk assessment framework that identifies, prevents, and mitigates human rights impacts across your global operations.
