Business enterprises should protect the rights of their employees and consumers and prevent human rights infringement, said HL Dattu, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission.

Speaking at the South Regional Conference on Business and Human Rights organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Dattu said businesses are operating at domestic and international levels. Their operations have a huge impact on all stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, employees and communities.

Corporate entities should put in place policies and guidelines to protect human rights. They should do due diligence to assess human rights impact and devise ways to identify, mitigate and prevent them. There is also need for better access to remedy when corporate-related abuses have occurred.

Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder, Infosys, and Chairman, Axilor Ventures, said companies should focus on growth through conscious competitiveness without compromising quality and rights of consumers. “Corporate enterprises should be sustainable. They should make viable plans to create a sustainable business ecosystem that protects not only people but also the environment,” Gopalakrishnan said.

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