Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-02-10-Speech-1-068"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2003-02-10"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:World Economic Forum (Davos) and World Social Forum (Porto Alegre)2
dcterms:Language	"fi"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20030210.7.1-068"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2003-02-10-Speech-1-0692
lpv:speaker	lp:Eija-Riitta Korhola2
lpv:spokenAs	member; EPP-ED (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 unknown; Suomen kristillisdemokraatit rp (2001-05-30--2004-07-19)3 member; Delegation to the EU-Latvia Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-02-07--2004-04-30)3 member; Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 substitute; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, Davos and Porto Alegre are in different continents, but in them global problems were dealt with along the same lines. Business resources and entrepreneurship combined with the know-how, skills and legitimacy of the rest of civil society can provide lasting solutions to the problems of globalisation. The average cow in the OECD countries receives two euros every day in state aid, while more than two billion people live on less than two euros a day. More than a billion people have to get by on less than one euro a day. That is such a small sum of money that it does not even meet the basic requirements of international human and fundamental rights. The right to life cannot be separated from the right to food, water, health services or work, and the right to have an opinion cannot be separated from the basic rights of a civilised society. These rights are what the economy is built on. Human rights are not a luxury which we can afford only when the economy is growing: they are a necessary prerequisite for companies’ viability and stability. In Russia, for example, conditions for business cannot improve significantly without some fundamental adjustments being made in the implementation of human rights and in the law. At present in Russia it is possible to solve problems informally with reference to arbitrary, unwritten and ever-changing laws, which only adds to corruption. It is therefore in the interest of companies too to be involved in the implementation of human and fundamental rights. One way is participation in the UN Global Compact. Under this scheme first proposed four years ago at Davos by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, a company commits itself to nine simple basic principles in the area of human rights, labour standards and the environment. Furthermore, in the EU a framework for the social responsibility of companies has been promoted, but alongside voluntary action we need binding legislation. We should show up those companies operating in the EU, which either here or elsewhere have contributed directly or indirectly to human and fundamental rights violations, by naming and shaming them. In addition, we should develop suitable sanctions to impose on companies which are guilty of, or have contributed to, human rights violations and corruption outside the EU. Businesses ultimately have enormous influence whatever the community, region or state they are located in. The day business genuinely decides to fight against corruption and human rights violations is the day globalisation will mean and consist of something quite different from what it does at the present time."@en1

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