The international context within which our company operates is becoming increasingly diverse as we enter the new millennium.
Companies face important concerns arising from diverse cultures and political and economic contexts.
These concerns require management to address issues that include human rights, workers' right to organize and bargain collectively, non-discrimination in the workplace and sustainable community development. Companies must find effective ways to eliminate the use of child labor, forced labor, bribery and harmful environmental practices. While the code includes issues related to employment practices, it fails to reference internationally recognized core labor standards of the International Labor Organization, a tripartite body founded in 1919 and made up of representatives of business, government and labor. It is essential for a global company to include international labor and human rights standards as principles guiding its policies and behavior. Companies should be in a position to assure shareholders that its employees are treated fairly and paid a sustainable living wage wherever they work in the global economy.