[Finance] Civil Groups Demand NCP Mechanism Activation; Ministry of Economic Affairs: Included in Human Rights Action Plan, to be Established After Executive Yuan's Announcement
RtiTalk 小編19d ago
The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy (ERA) and Indonesian community groups went to the Ministry of Economic Affairs today (1st) to file Taiwan's first "National Contact Point" (NCP) complaint, demanding that the Ministry formally activate the NCP mechanism. The Ministry of Economic Affairs responded that the NCP mechanism has been included in the draft of the "National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP)" 2.0. It will be formally established after the Executive Yuan announces it and completes detailed planning. In the meantime, the Ministry will forward the concerns raised by Indonesian stakeholders to the relevant companies and ask the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Indonesia to strengthen the promotion of respecting human rights and relevant international norms among local Taiwanese businesses.
In September 2024, the Executive Yuan designated the Ministry of Economic Affairs as Taiwan's NCP, responsible for cross-ministerial coordination and handling complaints of corporate human rights violations. However, the relevant mechanism has not yet been activated. Therefore, the ERA, along with Indonesian groups, local residents, and union representatives, went to the Ministry of Economic Affairs to formally file the first NCP complaint. The complaint focuses on issues arising from forest loss, environmental damage, labor, and human rights during the mining and processing of Indonesia's nickel supply chain. They hope to facilitate dialogue between companies and affected stakeholders through the NCP mechanism.
In response, the Ministry of Economic Affairs explained that the NCP system originates from a non-judicial complaint and mediation mechanism established by OECD member countries in accordance with the "Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises." It primarily assists in resolving disputes related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through conciliation, mediation, and dialogue, and this mechanism does not replace the court in determining legal responsibility or imposing penalties.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that Taiwan is not an OECD member country. The planning for establishing Taiwan's NCP is based on suggestions from various parties during the workshops for the second draft of the "National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights" in 2024 and 2025, and the NCP has been incorporated into the current 2.0 draft. Relevant ministries are also accelerating their work, and it is expected that after the Executive Yuan announces NAP 2.0 (which includes the establishment and operational principles of the NCP), detailed planning will be carried out before its formal establishment.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs pointed out that before the formal establishment of Taiwan's NCP, although individual complaints cannot be accepted under the name of NCP, the Ministry will forward the concerns expressed by Indonesian stakeholders to the relevant companies. It will also ask the economic division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Indonesia to continue strengthening the promotion of respecting human rights and relevant international norms among local Taiwanese businesses.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs emphasized that as an important member of the global supply chain, Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded countries and trading partners to protect labor rights, enhance supply chain resilience, strengthen corporate promotion, foster a fair and trustworthy trade environment, and fulfill its commitment to protecting human rights. (Editor: Chen Shih-lien)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=229435
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