To the Private Sector, we urge efforts to eliminate caste-based discrimination within their own organizations, as well as within the operations of their subsidiaries and through their supply chains, and call for the application of the Ambedkar Principles and for equal access to employment opportunities.

Recommendations on Good Practice and Strategies to Eliminate Caste-Based Discrimination

Governments should exercise leadership at the local, national and international level to eliminate caste and caste-based discrimination through the application and promotion of good practices.  Their efforts should be encouraged and supported by other actors, including civil society organisations, multilateral and bilateral development agencies, international financial institutions, the private sector, UN, European Union (EU), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Organization of American States (OAS), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), African Union (AU), Arab League of Nations, and relevant international organisations.

Good Practices: Forced and bonded labour and discrimination issues in employment

Private companies should work to eliminate caste-based discrimination within their own organizations as well as within the operations of their subsidiaries and throughout their supply chain. Businesses and other private sector actors should apply the Ambedkar Principles in all of their operations. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Funds should be used to achieve and implement these goals.

The Dalit Discrimination Check is an essential tool to enable businesses to identify caste-based discrimination and to take steps to eliminate it in their operations. Private companies should adhere to the UN Global Compact principles on, inter alia, discrimination in respect of employment and occupation and should work with governments to ensure that all of their operations comply with human rights standards, using the Guiding Principles for the Implementation of the UN “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework.

Read the full text of the Global Call for Action to End Caste Discrimination

Download the report on Best Practices and Strategies to Eliminate Caste Discrimination (2012)

Read more about caste discrimination and the private sector

Read about the Private Sector in our Annual Reports

Private Sector – Annual report 2013
Private Sector – Annual report 2012
Private Sector – Annual report 2011
Private Sector – Annual report 2010
Private Sector – Annual report 2009
Private Sector – Annual report 2008