This chapter focuses on the analysis of the efforts made by the European Union authorities to encourage companies in the process of promoting sustainable development and involvement in various CSR actions. On the one hand, at the EU level, many regulations provide the general framework for the voluntary development of CSR programs. On the other hand, public institutions are involved in meeting sustainable development objectives set at the European and international levels. The tools are numerous, having a higher degree of adaptability depending on the company size, activities, and origin of the capital. Over time, the concerns of European institutions have intensified and have targeted not only the social responsibility of companies but also of public authorities, which through specific instruments can impose certain conduct on companies. The companies paid particular attention to ensure the communication of the actions taken and the results obtained with different categories of stakeholders.
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Changing the paradigm of involving companies in activities with an impact on sustainable development is a complex, long-term process that is supported by international institutions such as United Nations, International Labor Organization, World Trade Organization or the International Health Organization through specific tools such as guidelines, statements, communications. In these ways, the international organisations are trying to support companies for running CSR programs.
Various aspects of social development were addressed at the international level during meetings, being adopted specific statements or standards that can guide the actions of companies.
The Tripartite Declaration of Principles on Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy adopted in 1977 by the International Labor Organization was revised in 2000, in the light of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work adopted in 1998. This statement is notable for its comprehensive content, as it covers all aspects of social policy, such as industrial relations, employment, training and applies to all economic actors such as regardless of the form of organization (multinational corporations, governments, associations of employees and employers).
The Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development was adopted in 1995 at the World Summit for Social Development. The Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development was adopted. On this occasion, the positive effects of globalization on sustainable development such as the dissemination of cultural experiences and values were recognized, but also highlighted the negative consequences such as poverty, unemployment, social disintegration specific to adjustment processes. For these reasons, the Program of Action adopted, the signatory countries undertake “to promote respect for the fundamental rights of workers, including the prohibition of forced labor and minors, freedom of association and collective bargaining, equal pay for women and men for the same value, non-discrimination in employment, implementation of ILO conventions in the case of signatory countries so as to support sustainable economic development and growth ».
In 1998, the International Labor Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work was adopted, which recognized the international standards of labor: (1) freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; (2) the elimination of any form of forced or compulsory labor, (3) the effective abolition of child labor; (4) elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises developed by the OECD in 2000 stand out by providing voluntary principles and standards for responsible behavior of transnational corporations in areas such as: employment, industrial relations, human rights, environment, competition, information dissemination, taxation, fighting corruption and protecting consumers. The voluntary adoption of these principles and standards ensures a positive impact of the activity of transnational corporations on the economic, social and environmental progress necessary to achieve the objectives of sustainable development. Multinational corporations must respect the rights of employees to be represented by trade unions and to engage in collective bargaining and to be involved in the effective abolition of child labor, the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor, and the elimination of discrimination against employees.
The activity of the World Trade Organization (WTO) also targets the issue of the relationship between trade and social issues. Discussions on the relationship between the multilateral trading system and labor standards were held at the Marrakesh ministerial meeting in April 1994. At the WTO Ministerial Conference in December 1996, proposals were made to set up a Working Party to examine the link between international trade and working conditions, an initiative supported by developed countries but vehemently rejected by developing countries. Development. The reason for the refusal was based on the idea that developed countries are trying to promote certain protectionist measures by promoting labor standards. In the final statement, the signatory countries reject the use of labor standards for protectionist purposes, and the comparative advantage over wages in developing countries is not in question.