CHAPTER 4 - REPORT OF THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS WORKING GROUP practice to enable them to map areas that require further attention and improvement. This would minimise the risk of violating the human rights of workers and other parties affected by business activities. (iv) Workers’ rights Allegations have been increasing about the abuse or mistreatment of foreign workers in Malaysia. Businesses need to be reminded of the right of workers to be protected and treated in a humane manner. Managements should ensure that they provide a safe working environment in which workers are respected and treated with dignity, irrespective of origin, race, colour, religion, gender, physical ability and other characteristics of identity. (v) Allegations have been increasing about the abuse or mistreatment of foreign workers in Malaysia. Businesses need to be reminded of the right of workers to be protected and treated in a humane manner. Cost considerations While noting the need for businesses to be more accountable in terms of human rights, concern was expressed about the financial implications. As most businesses are profit-oriented, participants suggested that the Government introduces tax incentives, corporate grants and other monetary reliefs to offset the expense of putting human rights into practice. (b) Technical Committee on Social Responsibility (TCSR) The Commission also pursued the promotion of human rights in the business sector via the platform provided by its membership in the TCSR, chaired by SIRIM Bhd. Other members represent agencies and organisations like the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, Ministry of Human Resources, MTUC, Attorney-General’s Chambers, SME Corporation Malaysia, Standards Users, National Council for Women’s Organisations, Transparency International and the MARA University of Technology. The TCSR has resolved to draft a standard on social responsibility that is suitable for the current context in Malaysia. This standard is being drafted based on, and toward, full compliance with the ISO 26000 on Social Responsibility. The Commission has been assigned to the Task Group on Human Rights headed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers. This sub-group is entrusted with assessing the human rights clause of the ISO 26000 to be adapted and included in the draft standard. At a meeting of the TCSR on 4 October, the Commission was able to ensure that most of the provisions in the human rights clause of the ISO 26000 were included in the draft standard. The Commission will monitor the finalised standard for inclusion of a human rights chapter that sufficiently spells out the role of businesses in promoting and protecting human rights. 83