#PeopleOverProfit ✊ Building Solidarity to Ensure Corporate Accountability Across Asia

Last 29-31 October, Neïla Mangin Maïza, Manushya Foundation’s Corporate Accountability and Climate Justice Advisor, joined the Building Solidarity, Advancing Accountability Across Asia's Global Supply Chains Conference in Seoul. Convened by KTNC Watch, Human Rights Now and TTNC Watch, the conference gathered civil society and experts from East and South East Asia to build solidarity and strategise how to fight corporate impunity.

Over the years, companies based in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have been involved in systemic human rights and environmental abuses across Asian supply chains. From the mining, garment, fishing and electronics industries, workers and local communities struggle to secure remedies. This deadly status quo is enabled by the lack of legislation both in home and host countries to hold companies accountable.

During the three-day event, we shared the struggle of communities impacted by mining in Thailand and in particular Phichit villagers who have been seeking justice for over two decades for the harms caused by the activities of the Chatree Gold Mine in Central Thailand.

Manushya Foundation also shared insights on Thailand’s recent legal development on responsible business conduct and due diligence during a panel discussion on legal and policy frameworks at the National Assembly. 

We made it clear: Meaningful engagement with workers and affected communities must be at the center of any policy development. Corporate accountability cannot be achieved without meaningful participation of those who are first impacted by corporate abuses!

As a decolonial and intersectional feminist organisation, Manushya Foundation is committed to ensuring that the realities of impacted rightsholders shape decision-making processes to guarantee accountability and effectiveness.