BHR policy stressed to ensure fair business

 Kathmandu, Jan. 3

Stakeholders have said that the Business and Human Rights National Action Plan (BHR-NAP) should be implemented to ensure fair business for all.

Speaking at a workshop organised in Kathmandu on Friday by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and UNDP, they highlighted the issues like quality control mechanisms, human rights practices, and protection of minority groups at the workplace.

"The three aspects of the BHR – Protect, Respect, Remedy – should be adopted by all businesses," they said.

Nepal is implementing its first five-year action plan on BHR starting in 2024 and concluding in 2029.

The BHR policy includes six major sectors of business and human rights - labour, consumer, women and children, migrant workers, environment and indigenous people, and gender equality and non-discrimination. 

The BHRs are based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) which are the most authoritative and widely adopted set of principles for responsible business, endorsed in 2011.

Hansa Ram Pandey, an expert on BHR, said that the NAP highlights the private sector's commitment to respecting and promoting human rights. This commitment is expected to enhance the presence of Nepali businesses in international markets and make it easier to access benefits from developed economies.

"To ensure the smooth implementation of the National Action Plan, the United Nations office in Nepal is providing support through various means. As part of this effort, it is assisting stakeholders in preparing an informative guidebook on business and human rights for the private sector," he said.

The National Action Plan, developed by the Government of Nepal, encompasses rights related to workers, migrant workers, consumers, environmental protection, indigenous peoples, women, children, non-discrimination, and social inclusion.

Pushpa Pokharel, another expert on BHR, suggested conducting stakeholders' consultation for the BHR due diligence. Such consultations should be conducted with persons or groups who have interests that are or could be impacted by the enterprise’s activities, and it should be meaningful.

"It requires engagement into HRDD processes so that companies can detect potentially negative impacts early and develop collaborative grievance mechanisms to help companies ensure compliance with their HRDD obligations," she said. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 January 2025.