The
Sullivan principles are the names of two corporate codes of
conduct, developed by the African-American preacher Rev. Leon
Sullivan, promoting corporate social responsibility:
The original
Sullivan principles were developed in 1977 to apply economic
pressure on South Africa in protest of its system of apartheid.
The principles eventually gained wide adoption among United
States–based corporations.
For more, see #The Sullivan principles below.
The new global Sullivan principles were jointly unveiled in
1999 by Rev. Sullivan and United Nations Secretary General Kofi
Annan. The new and expanded corporate code of conduct, as opposed
to the originals' specific focus on South African apartheid,
were designed to increase the active participation of corporations
in the advancement of human rights and social justice at the
international level.
The
Sullivan principles
Non-segregation of the races in all eating, comfort, and work
facilities.
Equal and fair employment practices for all employees.
Equal pay for all employees doing equal or comparable work for
the same period of time.
Initiation of and development of training programs that will
prepare, in substantial numbers, blacks and other nonwhites
for supervisory, administrative, clerical, and technical jobs.
Increasing the number of blacks and other nonwhites in management
and supervisory positions.
Improving the quality of life for blacks and other nonwhites
outside the work environment in such areas as housing, transportation,
school, recreation, and health facilities.
Working to eliminate laws and customs that impede social, economic,
and political justice. (added in 1984)
In 1999,
more than 20 years after the adoption of the original Sullivan
Principles and six years after the end of apartheid, the Rev.
Leon Sullivan and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan
together unveiled the new "Global Sullivan Principles".
The overarching
objective of these principles, according to Leon Sullivan, is
“to support economic, social and political justice by companies
where they do business,” including respect for human rights
and equal work opportunities for all peoples.
The new
principles read:
The Principles:
As a company
which endorses the Global Sullivan Principles we will respect
the law, and as a responsible member of society we will apply
these Principles with integrity consistent with the legitimate
role of business. We will develop and implement company policies,
procedures, training and internal reporting structures to ensure
commitment to these principles throughout our organisation.
We believe the application of these Principles will achieve
greater tolerance and better understanding among peoples, and
advance the culture of peace.
Accordingly,
we will:
Express
our support for universal human rights and, particularly, those
of our employees, the communities within which we operate, and
parties with whom we do business.
Promote equal opportunity for our employees at all levels of
the company with respect to issues such as color, race, gender,
age, ethnicity or religious beliefs, and operate without unacceptable
worker treatment such as the exploitation of children, physical
punishment, female abuse, involuntary servitude, or other forms
of abuse.
Respect our employees’ voluntary freedom of association.
Compensate our employees to enable them to meet at least their
basic needs and provide the opportunity to improve their skill
and capability to raise their social and economic opportunities.
Provide a safe and healthy workplace; protect human health and
the environment; and promote sustainable development.
Promote fair competition including respect for intellectual
and other property rights, and not offer, pay or accept bribes.
Work with governments and communities in which we do business
to improve the quality of life in those communities – their
educational, cultural, economic and social well-being – and
seek to provide training and opportunities for workers from
disadvantaged backgrounds.
Promote the application of these principles by those with whom
we do business.
We will
be transparent in our implementation of these principles and
provide information which demonstrates publicly our commitment
to them.
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