CSR Framework for Public Companies: A Strategy in Addressing Gender Concerns

1
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN MALAYSIA
WITHER GENDER EQUALITY?

• CSR Framework for Public Companies A Strategy in
  Addressing Gender Concerns
• MALAYSIAN INSTITUTE OF INTEGRITY
• NOOR YUSLINDA MOHD YUSOF
• APRIL 10TH, 2008
• WOMENS DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH CENTRE
• UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

2
CSR..

• .operating a business enterprise in a manner
  that consistently meets or exceeds the ethical,
  legal, commercial and public expectations society
  has of business
• (Business for Social Responsibility)

3
BURSA - CSR FRAMEWORK FOR PLCS
Environment
Community
Marketplace
Workplace
CSR FOCUS

• - Employee Involvement
• Workplace
• Diversity
• - Gender issues
• Human Capital Development
• Quality of Life
• - Labour rights
• Human rights
• Health Safety

• Green Products
• - Stakeholder engagement
• Ethical Procurement
• Supplier management
• Vendor development
• Social Branding
• Corporate Governance

• - Climate Change
• -ISO 14000
• - Energy
• -Renewable Energy
• -Energy Efficiency
• -Waste management
• Endangered wildlife
• Biodiversity

• - Employee Volunteerism
• - Education Schools Adoption Scheme
• Youth development
• Underprivileged
• Graduate Employment
• Children

POSSIBLE CSR INITIATIVES
IMMEDIATE 2006
SHORT TERM 2007
LONG TERM 2008
PLANNING
4
National Integrity Plan

• Strategy 1 for Sosio-Cultural Institutions
• Programme/Activity Inculcate good values by
  having gender sensitive programmes
• Objective To ensure all parties appreciate the
  contribution of women and men toward social and
  national well-being
• Target Group All sectors, Policy makers
• Implementing Agency Ministry of Information,
  MOWFCD, MOE, MOHE and NGOs

Page 91, National Integrity Plan
5
Gender Equality - State of Play

• Women Action Plan
• National Policy on Women
• 30 Women Decision-Makers (public sector only)
• Gender Focal Point (ministerial level)
• Cabinet Committee on Gender Equality
• The Childcare Centre Act was also amended.
  Private sector companies are now required to open
  childcare centres at the workplace and community
  centres.

6
Datuk Dr. Ng Yen Yen

• ... I'll also focus more on (the role of) women
  in the economyI will also increase male
  participation in this ministry. I don't think
  this ministry can talk about women, family and
  social development without involving the other 50
  per cent of the country - the men.

7
Women in Decision-making Positions in Corporate
Sector 2001-June 2007 (50 PLCs at Bursa)
8
Gender in Development
UNDP LEADERS IN GOVERNANCE MANUAL (GENDER AND
LEADERSHIP)
9
International Benchmarks

• Equal economic independence for men and women
• Reconciliation of private and professional life
• Equal representation in decision-making
• Eradication of all forms of gender-based violence
• Elimination of gender stereotypes
• Promotion of gender equality in external and
  development policies
• - EU Six Priority Areas 2006-2010

10

• THE WAY FORWARD

11
Budget 2007

• tax deduction to contributions by the private
  sector to charitable organizations be increased
  from 5 to 7 of aggregate income.

12
Budget 2008

• Inculcating Corporate Social Responsibility
  104. The Government will continue to emphasize
  corporate social responsibility (CSR) by
  companies, especially PLCs. The Government
  believes that companies involved in CSR
  activities will benefit in the long run, apart
  from contributing towards the well being of the
  community.

13
Budget 2008

• 105. The Government had announced in the 2007
  Budget that all PLCs are required to disclose CSR
  activities in their annual financial reports.
• Beginning financial year 2008, PLCs will be
  required to disclose their employment composition
  by race and gender, as well as programmes
  undertaken to develop domestic and Bumiputera
  vendors. The private sector should leverage upon
  the strength of Malaysias diversity by employing
  Malaysians from all ethnic groups.

14
Bursa Malaysia Berhad CSR 2007 Survey Report
15
Findings

• Malaysian PLCs generally fall far behind
  international practices and disclosures in
  CSRthe report uncovered that the two key areas
  that require more attention are environment and
  diversity

16
Challenges

• CSR as a practice is voluntary, not legal
• Although companies obligated to report, they
  generally choose social framework
  (philanthropic) which are quantifiable and easier
  and quicker to implement and to report
• Even in Europe, companies find it hard to report
  on CSR gender initiatives because inpact can only
  be measured if they are not already mandatory by
  law.

17
Opportunities

• Engage with employees as stakeholders
• Review and redefine ways to increase productivity
  and build cohesiveness
• Provide a forum to allow employees- men and women
  to have a say in the environment in which they
  work
• Solicit new dialogue between gender to harness
  unique differences in a creative way as a team

18

CSR Tripartite Model
IIMs Support Monitoring
GOVERNMENT
Community
NGO
PRIVATE SECTOR
2007 by Mohd Rezaidi Mohd Ishak
19
Thank You

• Contact us
• ? 03-6209 2000
• ? 03-6209 2193
• integriti_at_iim.com.my
• www.iim.com.my