Money invested in companies by shareholders and investors is often done without a lot of information on ethical practises of those companies as often, most people depend on a stockbroker's advice, not a human rights activist. However, with organizations such as Amnesty International and researchers such as Jantzi Research, there is more access to such important information. To put money into companies that respect humanity and the environment, is becoming a trend as more information is available. Resolutions in shareholder meetings and proposals are sometimes not easily understandable without a financial background so shareholders and investors sometimes go along with the Board without even realizing what they agreed to! The Board of Directors often thinks of profits not rights and so sometimes workers rights or indigenous natives in areas of economic development are disregarded from greed. Underpaying and overworking workers in factories and evicting natives from their ancestral grounds as companies dig for minerals and oil is unfortunately what happens when profits are more important than rights. Thus shareholder activism where human rights organizations and research groups are waking up those who put their money into companies is a way of gaining leverage for the underclass of workers and natives. Companies will then be forced to listen to conscience if the shareholders and investors realize that abuses are happening and complain or withdraw their money. Possibly, this idea will also become directed towards consumers too who buy the products from these companies. Consumer activism or boycotts can pressure companies to respect workers, natives and environment so no harm is excusable from greed. Some products may be banned totally such as incandescent light bulbs, plastic bags, paper cups, styrofoam, and other packaging that are non-recyclable and landfilled. With more awareness, people will probably be more careful about where they put their money whether as investor, shareholder or consumer until companies listen and change their policies and products.
conference organized by Amnesty International and Jantzi Research on responsible investment in stocks of companies which respect human rights and environment held at Metro Hall
