Corporate Social Responsibility for Enforcement of Labor Rights: Are There More Effective Alternatives?

Abstract

This article addresses the concept of corporate social responsibility (hereinafter CSR) as it relates to labor rights. It considers the following issues: is the CSR model, as evidenced by the adoption of corporate codes of conduct, effective in protecting labor rights?; and is this model the best way to protect labor rights? These issues are examined from two perspectives: practical and philosophical. Lastly, some alternative enforcement mechanisms are considered and their respective advantages and disadvantages for purposes of ensuring labor rights are discussed.

Keywords: labor, multinational corporations, international labor standards

JEL Classification: J68, J53