We live in a world where more than one billion people in the world live on less than one dollar a day, and 2.7 billion struggle to survive on less than two dollars per day. There are no social safety nets for them and they have poor health, poor education and poor infrastructure.
As employers – we may be the only social safety net for our employees in emerging economies. There are many ways that even small businesses can support employees. It may be paying for medical insurance, creating a loan fund for school fees, distributing condoms free, providing transport to and from work, subsidising funeral expenses for employees or providing scholarships. Many larger corporations working in emerging economies support major social programs – including health, education, and microfinance and business development. There are many ways of encouraging community growth and development.
The execution of global integrity is up to us. We all need to be clear about which of these codes you will adopt and ensure that your employees understand the implications, and make sure you follow through. Actions speak louder than words.
“If a man remembers what is right at the sign of profit, is ready to lay down his life in the face of danger, and does not forget sentiments he has repeated all his life when he has been in straitened circumstances for a long time, he may be said to be a complete man” – Confucius
Global integrity is about all of us being that “complete man” – wherever we are in the world. Global integrity is about how you and I behave – every day – everywhere.
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