Ensuring International Respect for Human Rights

Our efforts to improve corporate human rights practices has included working on sweatshop working conditions in the global fashion industry, addressing forced child labour in the cotton fields of Uzbekistan, standardizing free prior and informed consent of Indigenous communities in mining operations and mineral extraction for electronic manufacturing.

SHARE’s documented investor expectations on human rights performance outline both the systems and processes companies should have in place to ensure respect for human rights, and the performance outcomes they seek to achieve from these processes. We will also seek information on how human rights are taken into consideration in business relationships, such as mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures.

SHARE’s human rights dialogues draw on the conventions, norms and standards of practice of the United Nations, and other international organizations, to promote corporate accountability, respect for the rule of law, and adherence to internationally-agreed upon human rights and labour standards.

united nations facade

Changing the Rules

Forced labour permeates global supply chains of commodities, goods and services. SHARE works with clients to activate their shareholder power to address the presence of modern slavery in systems of production.

Through client engagements with global garment brands, SHARE has helped mobilize support for the International Accord for Health and Safety, and move the needle on critical shareholder proposals.

Related Content

Briefing Note: Investors and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

This briefing note discusses six questions for investors, both short-termand long-term, raised by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

View PDF

Letter to Shareholders of Canadian Solar Inc. Regarding Omission of Shareholder Proposal

A proposal calling on the Board of Directors to oversee a third-party assessment of the effectiveness of policies and procedures in protecting against forced labour, including in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, has been omitted.

View PDF

Proxy Alert: Conducting an independent Human Rights Impact Assessment on migrant workers at Loblaw Companies Limited

Recommendation: Vote FOR shareholder proposal on conducting an independent Human Rights Impact Assessment on migrant workers at Loblaw Companies Limited

View PDF

Related Programs

Learn more about some of our Programs and networks, working to progress global human rights,