Jun 24 2013
ESCATEC, the Electronics Manufacturing Services innovator, has announced its membership of the United Nations Global Compact, the ten principles of which cover human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption.
ESCATEC intends to advance those principles within its sphere of influence. It is committed to making the Global Compact and its principles part of the strategy, culture and day-to-day operations of the company, and to engaging in collaborative projects which advance the broader development goals of the United Nations, particularly the Millennium Development Goals that are also endorsed by the Malaysian government.
This is an extension of ESCATEC's implementation of its core values, one of which is to conduct business ethically. It operates with a strict Code of Conduct with respect to all its stakeholders and abides by the environmental regulations through its ISO 14001 certification. ESCATEC joins the other 44 companies, SME's, foundations, business associations and NGO's in Malaysia that are actively communicating on their commitment to sustainability and corporate citizenship.
"Joining the UN GC is a key part of our on-going programme of corporate responsibility," said Markus Walter, ESCATEC's CEO. "The UN GC provides collaborative solutions to the most fundamental challenges facing both business and society and we are proud to become active members."
Business, as a primary driver of globalization, can help ensure that markets, commerce, technology and finance advance in ways that benefit economies and societies everywhere. As social, political and economic challenges (and opportunities) - whether occurring at home or in other regions - affect business more than ever before, many companies recognize the need to collaborate and partner with governments, civil society, labour and the United Nations. This ever-increasing understanding is reflected in the Global Compact's rapid growth. With over 10,000 corporate participants and other stakeholders from over 130 countries, it is the largest voluntary corporate responsibility initiative in the world.
Endorsed by chief executives, the Global Compact is a practical framework for the development, implementation, and disclosure of sustainability policies and practices, offering participants a wide spectrum of workstreams,
"The Global Compact asks companies to embrace universal principles and to partner with the United Nations. It has grown to become a critical platform for the UN to engage effectively with enlightened global business." UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Background on the UN GC:
The UN GC started out as a speech by then UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 1999 after the demonstrations in Seattle that year against the WTO negotiations. He challenged business leaders that they should do their part to fill the governance voids that had been brought about by globalization as more and more firms were moving production to low wage countries with inadequate regulation. http://www.unglobalcompact.org/