Social Contributions Backed by a Humanitarian Philosophy
Human Rights at the Core of CSR
![[image]Makoto Teranaka Secretary-General, Amnesty International Japan](/csr/csr_images/management_respect_img_01.jpg)
Makoto Teranaka
Secretary-General, Amnesty International Japan
To date, corporate violations of human rights have been seen in many areas of Africa, Asia, and elsewhere. Moreover, with globalization, the human rights gap between companies and society has widened. To close this gap, it is crucial to make respect for human rights a core part of corporate social responsibility. Many companies have been urged to show more consideration for human rights during procurement. I urge you, instead of viewing it as a procurement issue, to consider respect for human rights as a management policy.
Hitachi's CSR reports address the issue of human rights. However, they should detail specific efforts, along with progress. It is necessary also to measure the effectiveness of those efforts through dialogues with independent organizations and to put their conclusions and recommendations into action. In particular, I would like to see Hitachi disclose more information about how it addresses human rights issues as they relate to employees, suppliers, and regions of operation.
In the global business arena, it is vital that companies respect cultural diversity and conduct themselves with integrity and honesty, backed by a strong respect for human rights.
Supported by a humanitarian philosophy, Hitachi respects the human rights of all its stakeholders. We also respect the international ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights, and the United Nations Global Compact*1 and we are striving to improve the general level of awareness with all Hitachi stakeholders.
Respect for Human Rights in the Pursuit of Business
![[image]Respect for Human Rights in the Pursuit of Business](/csr/csr_images/management_respect_img_02.gif)
We link awareness of human rights to actions by highlighting human rights in the Corporate Ethics and Compliance Handbook of Hitachi, making certain that all employees are aware of these issues.
To assess how far awareness of human rights has spread, we conduct internal audits of Hitachi Group companies throughout the world, verify education programs, and monitor complaints and requests for counseling. In fiscal 2007, we sought the views and recommendations of human rights experts. In the future, we will act on these views and publish the progress made on respect for human rights.
(1) We will respect every person's character and individuality
We will respect every person's character and individuality in the recruitment and treatment of employees, the conduct of commercial transactions, and all other company activities, and not engage in any acts that impair individual dignity or discriminate on the basis of sex, age, nationality, race, ethnicity, ideology, belief, religion, social status, family origin, disease, disability, etc.
(2) We will establish information ethics
We will establish information ethics in respect of human rights and the maintenance of security in information handling, to prevent in advance the emergence of problems from personal information leaks, computer viruses, and unauthorized access.
(3) We will advance employment and commercial transactions with proper consideration to corporate social responsibility
We will hire employees in accordance with the governing domestic, foreign and local laws in each country and region. For example, we will not use child labor which employs children below the minimum working age or coerced labor that is against the will of the workers.
Moreover, we will not procure goods or services from enterprises that utilize child labor or forced labor.
Excerpted from the Corporate Ethics and Compliance Handbook
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![[image]Hitachi Group CSR Report 2008(PDF)](/csr/csr_images/common/sf_download.gif){kind=small}