ABSTRACT
The impact of business on development and human rights is hotly contested. Alongside growing enthusiasm for the role of business in driving sustainable development remain concerns around the lack of human rights protections. Poverty wages and poor working conditions remain endemic throughout the developing world and are stark reminders of limited progress. Civil society has pushed for legal and policy reforms that are prodding businesses to recognize their human rights responsibilities and take steps to address human rights harms. Alongside these efforts, there is a growing movement to support alternative business models that better distribute value and power to workers, affected communities, and other stakeholders. Overall, most attempts to ensure businesses respect human rights share a common focus on addressing power asymmetries between powerful corporations and the people they affect.
