This presentation is about the impact of businesses on labour rights and standards relating to young workers, parents and caregivers. The first part of this presentation focuses on Principle 3 of the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, which is about ensuring decent work for young workers, parents, and caregivers. 

The 2012 Children’s Rights and Business Principles were developed by UNICEF, Save and Children, and the UN Global Compact. This presentation breaks down the elements of Principle 3 and provides guidance on its implementation through examples of actions taken by companies that support and care for suppliers and workers. The second half of this presentation includes two case studies, which focus on IKEA’s approach to supporting children’s rights, and then the looks at gender diversity in Indian company Wipro.

This presentation makes the economic case that companies should commit to providing decent work conditions for young workers. Business has a responsibility to respect young workers and can demonstrate this responsibility through supporting their young workers by providing health information, education, development opportunities and the possibility to earn a living. Responsibility to respect means providing decent work for young workers, recognising the need for stronger visibility of children’s rights in the business and considering workers who have children at home. 

By respecting the rights of young workers and securing a safe working environment business can help meet the challenges of:

• Labour shortages and high turnover
• Young workers with weaker social skills, emotional resilience and ability to integrate
• Migrant working parents with children left behind 

There are specific actions companies can do to address these issues. For example, when it comes to providing decent work for parents, companies should invest in parent training and child care centres where parents can access affordable childcare support and receive tools to cope. This research also mentions that companies should provide support systems during the training program and to the young workers with weaker social skills, emotional resilience, or ability to integrate.

The IKEA case study provides an example of how to support children’s rights.

IKEA’s approach to supporting children’s rights:

• Preventing and protecting against child labour across supply chains and protecting young worders in the workplace. 
• Empower and advocate by promoting opportunities for young workers and providing decent work for parents and caregivers 

Wipro provides a template about how to protect female workers’ rights and achieve gender diversity in the workforce. Corporations should provide female workers with leadership opportunities, flexibility to work, and exposure to career opportunities. The case study lists practical points that other organisations can learn from. For example, they provide ‘Women in Leadership’ workshops, include flexible work policies, medical support, counseling services and career enhancing learning and development.

1. Recognising the need for stronger visibility of children's rights on the business and human rights agenda, UNICEF, Save the Children and the UN Global Compact joined forces in June 2010 to develop the Children‟s Rights and Business Principles.
2. A diverse workforce signals a more attractive working environment and that brings additional financial benefits.
3. 40% of the world's youth are unemployed (2015). Companies have the opportunity to promote opportunities for young workers through initiatives like work experience and apprenticeships.
4. A sustainable corporation should not only pursue their financial growth but also protect and respect their workers' rights.
5. Corporations would be more vulnerable to these issues if they are facing labor shortages and high turnover.
6. Corporations should provide female workers empowerment and leadership opportunities, flexibility to work, and exposure to career opportunities.