Recent Publications

Are We Fighting Forced Labour or Just Managing It?  

This white paper proposes a new framework of indicators that considers the systemic and flux nature of forced labour, whilst calling for equitable attribution of responsibility to enable effective remediation and prevention of forced labour. The paper explores whether signals like decent work deficiencies and business model indicators offer more accurate early warning signals for forced labour, thereby rethinking the current approach to forced labour assessments.

The Suitability of Operational - Level Grievance Mechanisms in Addressing Child Labor

This white paper, produced in collaboration with The Centre for Child Rights and Business, aims to provide businesses with actionable insights to better identify, assess, and remediate child labour within their supply chains - a growing requirement under international human rights regulations. The paper examines the effectiveness of Operational-level Grievance Mechanisms (OGMs) in addressing child labour.

Policy Paper on Human Right Due Diligence by Companies in the Seafood and Palm Oil Sectors in Asia

This briefing is designed to provide an overview of the extent to which companies in Asia, focusing on the palm oil and seafood sectors, have incorporated HRDD into their operations.

It outlines the drivers for HRDD adoption by companies in Asia, the opportunities and risks, the business case for incorporating HRDD, and sets out how companies can engage with affected stakeholders and their credible representatives to conduct meaningful HRDD, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

Putting things right: Remediation of forced labour under the Tariff Act 1930

The report examines 9 case studies from 7 jurisdictions and 8 industries, including distant water fishing, manufacturing, and agriculture, where actual or threatened import bans under the Tariff Act have been imposed, in order to identify the remediation measures companies have undertaken in response, and to what extent those responses led to the provision of remedies to workers and other affected rights holders.

Enforcing Human Rights Regulation - Borrowing From the FCPA Enforcement Playbook

In this article, The Remedy Project examines the parallels between the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and emerging human rights legislation to explore how companies can draw on anti-bribery practices to develop systemic-level improvements in business respect for human rights.

Feedback on Japan’s Draft Guidelines on Respect for Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains

In August 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry published draft guidelines for businesses on Respect for Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains.

This submission sets out our feedback on the draft Guidelines.

Using Third Parties to Support the Design and Implementation of Grievance Mechanisms

These guidelines, developed by The Remedy Project in partnership with Bonsucro and the Responsible Jewellery Council, have been developed to support voluntary sustainability standard setting organizations (VSS organizations), businesses, or industry groups that operate, or are seeking to partner with local third-party organizations to develop company or multistakeholder grievance mechanisms in accordance
with the principles set out in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP).

These guidelines describe how third-party partners can support these organizations in the design and implementation of grievance mechanisms, and provide a practical framework for selecting a suitable third-party partner.

Human Rights Due Diligence and Remediation Mechanisms: Two Sides of the Same Coin - Guidance for Japanese Companies

This briefing is also available in Japanese

In this briefing paper, The Remedy Project illustrates how an effective remediation mechanism can help support Japanese companies fulfil their human rights due diligence responsibilities and enhance responsible business practices.

Beyond Business as Usual: Asian Civil Society Response to the European Commission’s Proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

This open letter sets out the collective response of ten civil society groups and non-government organisations to the European Commission’s proposed Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (the Directive), announced on 23 February 2022. It provides detailed recommendations to the Commission on improvements to the proposed Directive from the perspective of civil society groups in Asia.

Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence: Guidance for Suppliers Operating in Asia

Recently, companies, consumers and governments have turned their attention to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters. Calls for accountability and consistency have led governments to increasingly consider, and in many cases pass, laws requiring companies operating within their jurisdiction to make disclosures according to specific rules. In particular, there has been an uptick in mandatory human rights due diligence (“mHRDD”) legislation. Even if a company is not subject to a particular mHRDD law, such legislation is likely to impact the company due to the cross-jurisdictional nature of supply chains. Therefore, to stay competitive and relevant to buyer markets, companies acting as suppliers and business partners should be aware of mHRDD laws and the expectations therein.This article provides an overview of certain mHRDD laws, their purpose, and recommendations for subject companies and those in their supply chains to stay in compliance and maintain business.

The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive: Guidance for Businesses in Asia

On 23 February 2022, the European Commission published its proposal for a EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.In this briefing, we outline the key features of the Directive, what it would mean for businesses in Asia, and what Asian businesses can do to prepare for the era of corporate sustainability due diligence.

Operational Guidelines for Businesses on Remediation of Migrant-worker Grievances

Developed by The Remedy Project in partnership with IOM CREST, the Operational Guidelines for Businesses on Remediation of Human Rights Grievances, authored for the IOM aim to help companies and industry groups to develop voluntary programmes to remediate worker grievances - with a particular focus on addressing human rights concerns of migrant workers in international supply chains. The recommendations provided by these Guidelines are grounded in industry and international best practices for compliance and advancement of human rights, including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Submission to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange

This submission sets out The Remedy Project’s response to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s review of the Corporate Governance Code and Listing Rules relating to sustainability and directors’ duties.

Response to Consultation on First Malaysian National Action Plan on
Forced Labour

This submission sets out The Remedy Project’s response to the public consultation on Malaysia’s first draft National Action Plan on Forced Labour. This submission sets out our thematic and policy recommendations on the overall draft National Action Plan as well as detailed recommendations on specific activities proposed under the draft National Action Plan.