CSR practice in Bangladesh: Harmony between business and society

Tithe Farhana

Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR is a familiar terminology in recent times and its practices are being integrated into international business arena and hence are becoming one of the determining factors for market access. According to United Nations Industrial Development Organization, CSR is generally understood as being economic, environmental and social imperatives (Triple-Bottom-Line-Approach), while at the same time it addresses the expectation of shareholders and stakeholders.

The concept and practice of CSR are comparatively new for the corporate sector of Bangladesh. However, its existence was felt long back by export earning sectors, especially RMG sector. During the period of 1990s cheaper Bangladeshi garments, produced by underprivileged women and children, attracted foreign buyers towards the products as well as the working condition in the factory premises. The buyers from North America and western Europe had put pressure on RMG sector for ensuring and maintaining quality, and working environment through stressing on good governance and banning of child labour.

In Bangladesh, question might arise whether the corporate sector is practicing CSR or doing just a charitable work and pursuing philanthropic activities. So, if philanthropy is something different from CSR, then how can we define it and more significantly describe its implementation and implication in Bangladesh?

Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin, ex-governor of Bangladesh Bank explains: "CSR intertwines strong commitment and responsibility to the people who are part of Organisation, the group of people within which you control and it comprises a number of key features and have to be responsive of the operational conditions and labour standards, the environment within which your employees are working and how they are being treated upholding the dignity of human life. That is very important in terms of gaining a proper understanding of CSR". He said it is not any good enough to donate and perform charity works while polluting the environment or leaving the workers in inhuman condition.

Mohiuddin Babor, head of Media & Communications of Robi, said CSR as corporate economic responsibility has multidimensional impacts. "The economic impacts can be beneficial collectively for stakeholders, government, customers, subscribers, suppliers and the communal growth in which the companies and corporate houses are conducting business and it is mostly significant for those who are the market leaders," he said.

Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin said paying taxes another economic responsibility of the companies. He said: "Paying taxes regularly can be good practice of economic responsibility and that contributes to the development of the country."

Bitopi Das Choudhury, Head of Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered Bank notes on the companies CSR activities "as the way to perform responsibility on the health, stability, and prosperity of the communities in which they operate and it is also sole responsibility while the companies are regarded as corporate citizens. She further discussed the CSR activities of SCB highlighting the development of youth, sports and health. According to her, SCB corporate activities are mostly concentrated at grass roots level aiming at building talents and skills in rural areas. She also adds: "It is committed to practice global standard of CSR.

Sami Hafiz, Corporate Sustainability & Sponsorships Manager of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited said: "CSR policy of HSBC Bangladesh is based on the HSBC Group's policy as we are part of the Group. Our belief is that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) should be something ingrained in the corporate culture and be sustainable. That is why we name our CSR programs as Corporate Sustainability. The Bangladeshi programs focus on two major factors - education, especially education for underprivileged children and environment".

Debashis Roy, Deputy General Manager CSR, Grameenphone explains "Consumer rights and responsibility to working force are important in CSR practice, Responsibilities to employees and consumers are foremost concerns in GPs' corporate accountability. Discrimination at work place is very common phenomena, nevertheless the companies have to pursue CSR in an ethical manner and keep away from favouritism, injustice and discrimination". He also adds: "responsibility to employees in GP includes taking care of the employees' welfare and safety at work and upholding their skills, competences and proficiencies with motivation for work, equal responsibility to customers.

Independent observers say, now-a-days CSR activities are too much focused by Media. And companies are more interested in focusing on their products rather than performing social responsibilities. But Sami Hafiz refused to accept the notion saying: "We do not view it this way as CSR is ingrained in our culture and is part and parcel of what we do. Our Group Chairman, Stephen Green has said that "Our goal is to be the leading brand in sustainability". Debashis Roy also echoed the sentiment explaining "GP aims to ensure meaningful social investment through effective projects into development issues of this country, primarily education, poverty alleviation, health and empowerment."

Sami Hafiz praised efforts of the Bangladesh Bank and the government in strengthening CSR and said: "The present government has already taken initiatives to encourage other organisations to come forward as it offered a 10% income tax rebate on the CSR funds, made allocation of US$100 million to combat climate change and took many other steps. In the financial sector, the Bangladesh Bank as regulator is monitoring all banks' CSR initiatives as well as encouraging others to take a more active role in supporting their communities".

Grameenphone CSR Programmes: 1. Grameenphone has added to its network more than 25 million people across the country as well as provided direct employment opportunity for more than 4500 people. About 150, 000 people are directly or indirectly engaged in the business network that has empowered economically to those people. It has invested Tk 149.5 billion in Bangladesh for infrastructure development. Corporate Economic responsibility is perfectly undertaken by paying taxes. 2. Partnership with Pathfinder International and USAIDS's network of Smiling Sun Clinics in 61 districts, GP is operating Safe Motherhood and Infant Care project. A total of 1,440,836 economically disadvantaged mothers and infants received free healthcare services. GP jointly with Sightsavers International organised the eye camp where around 36327 patients received free-eye care support and 4745 cataract surgeries being performed. 3. Grameen phone is partner of the mass awareness campaign during the national immunisation days with Bangladesh government, UNICEF and WHO. 4. Every information counts- Information Boat project works as information hub to meet the communication needs of rural communities, especially in the Char and Haor areas. At present, 4 information Boats are serving the haor areas of Sunamgonj and Kishorgonj. 5. Every confidence counts - rehabilitation of Acid Victims project formed in 2007 with the support of the Acid Survivors foundation. Six acid victims are now working in GP. 6. GP in partnership with Grameen Shikkha, an organization of Grameen bank family, provides financial aid to 100 underprivileged students through a scholarship fund. 7. The Grameen Phone Community Information Center (CIC) started functioning in 2006 with a vision to link and provide information based service to underprivileged rural people, SME entrepreneurs and create employment opportunities. 8. Cell Bazar was launched in 2006 to facilitate local traders and rural entrepreneurs with essential market information and contribute to business expansion. Over a million subscribers have accessed its service since its introduction 9. Grameenphone Ltd. adheres with Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) to promote 1GOAL. It has seized this responsibility to generate consciousness as its social responsible responsibility. 1GOAL is a global initiative backed by over 100 organisations in over 100 countries and they will put pressure on governments around the world to deliver the extra US$16 billion a year that is needed to pay for every child to attend school. In Bangladesh , Grameenphone has sent SMS to approximately 25 million GP subscribers worked with CAMPE to enlist support from the local celebrities from different sectors. 10. Grameenphone Ltd., in partnership with daily newspaper Prothom Alo, has organized an event titled "Duniya Kapano Tirish Minute" to commemorate the 21 February spirit. Last year GP in association with prothom-alo published a book to preserve the letters written by and to freedom fighters to capture the personal stories during that time.

Standard Chartered Bangladesh CSR Programmes: 1. Seeing is Believing - A New Vision aims to raise USD 20 million to develop comprehensive, sustainable eye care for 20 million people in less advantaged areas of 20 cities across the world, including Dhaka. 1. Standard Chartered-Financial Express jointly presents Corporate Social Responsibility Award for build awareness in CSR practice amongst business organizations. 2. Standard Chartered Young Tigers U -16 National Cricket Tournament has become the platform for hunting young cricketing talents from all over Bangladesh. 3. Standard Chartered Bangladesh is also the sponsor of Young Learners Club of The British Council for the last 11 years. 4. Standard Chartered has been providing financial support for the education programme of "National Fellowship for the Advancement of the Visually Handicapped (NFAVH)" to facilitate necessary educational materials for the visually impaired for last six years. 5. 'Dhaka alias Jahangirnagar: 400 years', a book written and compiled by Professor Dr. Enamul Haque and sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank. It is the first book of its kind that aims to capture 400 years of history.

Robi CSR Programmes: 1. Robi takes up programme on the occasion of the World Health Day. Under the banner "Shusto Nari, Shusto Paribar", organized a health camp for the under privileged women in Rangpur. 2. Robi lit up ten remote villages across the country with social power. The villages are Tamaruddi, Bachamara, Pachuria, Protapnagar, Charjanajat, Motherbunia, Chaitar Khamar, Char Neuton , Padma and Pirganj in the different districts of Bangladesh from north to south and east to west. Robi is initiating a project to reach 500 homes in 50 hard to reach villages all over the country. This will help power starved villagers with light at night and enable them perform personal, social & economic activities. These villages will be known as Robi Palli. 3. Robi celebrates 100th International Women's Day with the underprivileged women of the society who are deprived of the basic health facilities. With the pledge 'Healthy Women, Healthy Family', Robi commences its Free Health Camp initiative under its corporate social responsibility programme. 4. Robi & The Daily Star have mutually commenced English in Schools ( EIS), a language learning program to promote English language learning at secondary schools across the country.

HSBC CSR Programmes: 1. To promote business ideology and strengthen leadership quality in the young generation, HSBC in Bangladesh commenced HSBC Young Entrepreneurs Awards in 2006.This programme is running successfully and celebrating its 4th year. 2. HSBC-Prothom Alo Language Competition celebrated it's 5th year in 2009. 3. HSBC Bangladesh has taken up a Tk 10 million initiative to provide support to the people affected by hurricane (AILA). 4. HSBC has been rated number 1 in the financial sector and third overall in the 2009 for carbon Disclosure project. 5. HSBC Daily Star Climate Awards is organized jointly The Daily Star and HSBC. 6.HSBC has been providing support to various organizations including School of Hope, SEID Trust, Scholar's Special School, BERDO and many others organisation.

Email: tanes_of_mono@yahoo.com

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