The globalisation of the world's economy means corporations have gained more and more power. Too often, multinational companies harm local communities, damage the environment and violate workers' rights in the course of doing business – and there is no effective way of holding them to account when they do.
Business is ethically unequipped to deliver for people and the environment. In the modern world, companies should be required to serve the interests of society as a whole – not just rich shareholders.
"We must do what we can to encourage corporate responsibility. But we cannot leave companies to regulate themselves globally, any more than we can do in our own national economies." Rt Hon. Jack Straw MP, September 2001
War on Want's Corporate Accountability campaign has been challenging governments which set the rules of the world economic game to end the economic oppression that people in the developing world face. We want to reduce the power of those who use the unfair rules – corporations. The link between the poverty that millions of people in developing countries suffer and the lack of effective rules on corporations is clear.
Britain could lead the way in making corporations accountable for their activities by putting in place effective regulations and making the case internationally. But they will only do it if we pressure them to do so.
With the passage of the Companies Act in November 2006, War on Want helped secure an important victory because firms must now consider their impact on their employees, the environment, and local communities. They must also report on their relations with suppliers, including those overseas. Whilst an important step forward, the Act does not allow workers or communities abroad to seek redress in the UK if they are hurt by UK firms.
 |  | Take Action:
Demand that John Hutton takes action to stop UK companies and their suppliers behaving irresponsibly towards their workers. |
 | | Someone has to Pay:
War on Want calls on Gordon Brown to stop the corporate tax dodging that undermines the fight against poverty. |
 | | Growing Pains:
War on Want exposes the human cost of the cut flower industry in Colombia and Kenya producing flowers for British supermarkets. |
 | | Fashion Victims:
The true cost of cheap clothes. Workers in Bangladesh are regularly working 80 hours a week for just 5p an hour to produce cheap clothes for Primark, Tesco and Asda. |
 | | The Alternative Reports:
Download War on Want's alternative reports uncovering how companies like Coca-Cola, ASDA and Caterpillar profit from poverty. |
 | | Corporate Responsibility Coalition (CORE):
War on Want is on the steering committee of CORE, a network of over 130 organisations that campaigns for regulation to minimise corporations' negative impacts. Visit CORE's external website to learn more. |
 | | This campaign has been mounted with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of the campaign and all documents produced under it are the sole responsibility of War on Want and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union. |
