Code of Ethics for Indian Industry<br>

The National Human Rights Commission commissioned a study on the functioning of the Indian industry to understand the prevailing practices and knowledge about the corporate social responsibility and business ethics. Data was collected from diverse sectors of 20 industries in different geographical locations of the country.
The study resulted in an exhaustive report in the shape of "Code of Ethics for Indian Industry". It attempts to understand the range and quantity of ethical issues that reflect the interaction of profit-maximizing behavior with non-economic concerns of an industry.
According to the report, the Indian industries have a well-developed mechanism to measure performance on the economic and ecological parameters. However, their criteria for the social and ethical aspects are yet to reach the desired level of sophistication and comprehensive coverage.
A large number of managers (89 per cent) are not aware of details like extent of spending on the corporate social responsibility. Almost 50 per cent of the organizations lack in transparency as they do not disseminate their policies to the workers. All the participating organizations loudly spoke about the issue of corruption and stated that it had become, "a low-risk, high profit business".
According to the report, 'Corporate Ethics' are much needed to stress the importance of sustainability, social development, stakeholders, consumer satisfaction and service orientation in place of profit orientation. In this backdrop, NHRC's effort in parameterising the Code of Ethics for Indian Industry aims at providing the industry some guiding principles to make a positive dent on the business and human rights to ensure improvement in social, economic and cultural values of society.
The Code of Ethics, derived out of the study, strongly advocates for equal opportunities to all qualified employees, regardless of their race, caste, gender, religion etc for their inclusive growth and welfare. Companies should strive to provide a safe, healthy, clean and ergonomic working environment for their employees and indirect workers. It emphasizes upon the implementation of policies consistent with the laws; development of an atmosphere, wherein whistle-blowers' rights are respected and employees are allowed to raise their concerns to the top management without fear and intimidation.
The twelve points of the Code of Ethics cover 'Inclusive Business', 'Accountable Business', 'Transparent Business Standards', 'Commitment to Professed Quality and Representation Accuracy', 'Fair Competition', 'Equal opportunities employer', 'Upholding of Employee Human Rights', 'Health, Safety and Environment', 'Corporate Citizenship', 'Stakeholder Representation', 'Business Association' and 'Conflict of interest'. Detailed report is available on the NHRC website.