Latest news with #BusinessandHumanRightsForum
Observer
4 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Forum calls for stronger human rights at work
MUSCAT: The Business and Human Rights Forum, organised by the Oman Human Rights Commission, concluded its second day with a set of recommendations aimed at embedding fairness, transparency and a culture of human rights within business practices and policies. Held from July 8 to 9, in cooperation with the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, the forum aligns with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; and Oman Vision 2040, which emphasises a sustainable economy built on empowerment, participation and accountability. The forum brought together representatives from government agencies, private sector institutions, civil society organisations, UN offices in Oman, academic institutions and experts in human rights and corporate governance. Over two days, participants engaged in five main sessions featuring 16 working papers on human rights issues in the business sector. Key recommendations included integrating human rights in business-related curricula at private universities and colleges, developing ethical codes within private companies to empower employees in promoting and protecting human rights; and adopting the UN Principles on Business and Human Rights in corporate policies along with monitoring mechanisms. Further recommendations called for sharing best practices among entities applying human rights standards, particularly in supply chains, publishing related reports to enhance transparency and raising community awareness on respecting human rights and sustainable development in the workplace. Additional points focused on encouraging private companies to launch human rights initiatives, promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labour market and fostering a culture of human rights among law enforcement agencies in commercial judicial processes. The forum also urged greater private sector participation in future events to share experiences and address challenges. It concluded with a call to continue holding the forum regularly and to develop an executive plan with dedicated programmes to make business and human rights an integral part of the workplace.
Observer
5 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Forum highlights equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities
Muscat: Under the auspice of Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the Oman Human Rights Commission, in cooperation with the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, on Tuesday kicked off the Business and Human Rights Forum from July 8 to 9 seeking to enable persons with disabilities to access employment opportunities in private sector institutions and to establish the principle of equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment. The initiative also seeks to link the forum's outcomes to practical approaches that contribute to supporting the rights of persons with disabilities within the labour market and help achieve the national target for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in employment. The forum was organised as part of national efforts to consolidate the principles of justice and transparency in the workplace and promote a culture of human rights within business policies and practices. This is in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and is consistent with the Oman Vision 2040, which places increasing importance on building a sustainable economy based on empowerment, participation and responsibility. Dr Rashid bin Hamad al Balushi, Chairman of the Oman Human Rights Commission, said, "Holding such forum is a practical translation of the Oman Human Rights Commission's mandate to raise awareness, educate, provide advice and monitor the implementation of relevant international agreements. It also falls within the framework of consolidating a culture of human rights in the business environment and opening windows for constructive dialogue between the public and private sectors, civil society institutions, academic institutions and international organisations." The forum's objectives included promoting multilateral dialogue among stakeholders in the business environment, expanding awareness of international human rights principles, and sharing national and regional best practices in this field. It also aimed to discuss emerging challenges facing the integration of human rights into business policies. Successful institutional experiences were also reviewed, and effective ways to address challenges and align local legislation with international standards were proposed. This was in addition to highlighting the role of judicial institutions, legislative initiatives and civil society initiatives in supporting this trend. Eng Faisal bin Abdulaziz al Shanfari, a member of the Labour Market Committee, stated that the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry seeks to align with Oman's long-term approach to cooperating with regional and international partners to protect and promote human rights in line with international obligations. In a statement to the Observer, Dr Jamal bin Eid al Khadouri, a member of the Oman Human Rights Commission and representative of the Ministry of Health, said: "The forum is an important initiative to focus on business and human rights in various institutions, with regard to preserving the rights of companies, individuals, society and the environment. The importance of the forum reflects Oman's interest in individuals, especially people with disabilities, in the workplace. Damilola Olawuyi on behalf of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, stated: 'We are pleased to see that through this forum, Oman is starting an important conversation in this regard. Given Oman's climate leadership and prominence as one of the first countries in the Arab region to ratify the Paris Agreement; one of the first to adopt a Net-Zero Strategy; and a strategic hub for entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, we are convinced that if Oman leads in this area, other countries in the region and beyond will draw lessons and follow suit.' The forum's activities are divided into five main sessions held over two days, during which sixteen scientific papers will be presented, covering various topics, including national legislation, the role of the judiciary, business policies, and field experiences from a number of companies and academic institutions.
Muscat Daily
5 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman launches initiative to boost jobs for persons with disabilities
Muscat – A national initiative was launched on Tuesday to enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the private sector, reinforcing the sultanate's commitment to social inclusion and economic empowerment. The announcement was made during the opening of the Business and Human Rights Forum, organised by Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC) in cooperation with the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights. The initiative aims to promote equal opportunity and non-discrimination by ensuring fair access to employment across diverse private sector environments. It also seeks to implement the forum's outcomes through practical measures aligned with national employment targets and the broader objectives of justice, inclusion and sustainability. Held under the patronage of H E Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the two-day forum which opened on Tuesday has the participation of government institutions, private sector representatives, civil society, academia, UN agencies and international human rights experts. Dr Rashid bin Hamad al Balushi, Chairman of OHRC, said Oman has long adopted a balanced approach to development by linking economic freedom with social responsibility. He cited the Basic Law of the State and Oman Vision 2040 as key frameworks that uphold principles of good governance, sustainability and respect for human rights. Dr Rashid bin Hamad al Balushi 'Promoting human rights in the workplace is a strategic imperative,' Balushi said. 'It supports sustainable development and builds trust between employees, employers, investors and consumers.' Dr Damilola Olawuyi, a member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, commended Oman's new initiative, calling it an important step in aligning trade and employment policies with international human rights standards. He noted that more than 30 countries have adopted national action plans on business and human rights since 2011 and stressed the importance of responsible corporate conduct in advancing development goals. Dr Damilola Olawuyi The forum's opening day featured two thematic sessions. The first explored national and international frameworks for protecting human rights in business, including the UN Guiding Principles, legal protections in Oman, the role of Oman Vision 2040, and the contribution of higher education institutions in building awareness. The second session focused on shared responsibilities across institutions. Participants included representatives from the judiciary, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Protection Authority, and Ooredoo, which presented a case study on its workplace inclusion practices for persons with disabilities. The forum will continue on Wednesday with discussions on developing institutional policies to safeguard human rights. Representatives from the public, private and civil society sectors will examine strategies to enhance cross-sector collaboration and ensure effective implementation of rights-based practices. The forum supports Oman's broader efforts to integrate human rights into the business ecosystem, in line with Vision 2040 priorities and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. It also aims to encourage dialogue, share experiences and address challenges in aligning domestic legislation with global standards.
