10 REDUCED INEQUALITIES
Inequality and discrimination are one of the major causes of human unhappiness. Inequality and discrimination often cause dissatisfaction, envy, resentment and hatred in people's hearts. If dissatisfaction, envy, resentment, and hatred intensify, society will be divided, antagonism will deepen, and conflicts will occur frequently, and in the end, it may even lead to war.
In some societies, inequality and discrimination do not create division or conflict, and are seemingly stable. In a society where order is strictly maintained by a powerful military force, where people are thoroughly monitored, or where strong beliefs are rooted, people have to accept inequality and discrimination without complaining. But in such a society, people cannot be said to be happy. A society in which a movement to eliminate inequality and discrimination takes place is limited to a society in which freedom of speech and freedom of religion are recognized to some extent, and where people can complain about inequality and discrimination.
Even in a society where freedom of speech and freedom of religion are widely recognized, the problems of inequality and discrimination will not disappear as long as people are dissatisfied. Conversely, because of the freedom of speech, issues of inequality and discrimination have become a hot topic, sometimes causing conflicts and divisions.
Is perfect human equality possible? Doesn't trying to achieve perfect equality just add to the problem?
What about inequality between countries? Each nation has its own history, and the relationships between nations are intricately intertwined. Unjust imbalances should be rectified. But what and how should we fix it?
“Eliminate inequality between people and countries” may not be a correct goal. But that's why it's important to find inequality and discrimination and make efforts to eliminate them.
It is believed that it will become important for companies to eliminate inequalities within the company as they conduct their activities, and to cooperate or support the correction of inequalities in the areas where they operate and overseas.
The United Nations has set 10 specific targets for "reducing inequalities between people and countries." Let's take a look at these targets and think about them in order to actually achieve the goal of "reducing inequality between people and countries."
10.1 By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average
This aims to correct income inequality by making the income growth rate of the low-income group higher than the average.
In the case of a company, for example, by setting higher pay increases for low-income employees and lower pay increases for high-income people such as managers and executives, the income disparities within companies can be reduced. There may be a way, however, since salary is related to the performance of the company as a whole and the level of contribution of employees, it is necessary to decide carefully in order not to increase employee dissatisfaction.
10.1 Draft Course of Action
・"In determining the salary system and salary increase rate, we will consider the correction of income disparities in addition to the performance of the company as a whole and the contribution of employees."
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
This seems to have aimed at the realization of a society that accepts diversity, strengthens the abilities of various people, and embraces them.
It would be preferable for companies to consider diversity both inside and outside the company, and to carry out support activities to realize a society that accepts diversity.
10.2 Draft Course of Action
・"We will give consideration to diversity both inside and outside the company, and carry out support activities for the realization of a society that accepts diversity."
10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
It is about redressing equal opportunity and inequality of results by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices.
As a company, it is desirable to eliminate discriminatory practices in the company, create equal opportunities for employees, and create a system that allows everyone to cooperate and produce results.
10.3 Draft Course of Action
・"We will eliminate discriminatory practices within the company, create equal opportunities for employees, and create a system that allows everyone to cooperate and produce results."
10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality
It is a target to eliminate disparities and expand equality through fiscal, wage, and social security policies.
As a company, the goal here may be to work on creating a wage system that eliminates disparities and expands equality.
10.4 Draft Course of Action
・"Work to create a wage system that eliminates disparities and expands equality"
10.5 Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and strengthen the implementation of such regulations
This is about financial monitoring and regulatory tightening.
Companies are required to comply with laws and regulations related to finance and to refrain from high-risk transactions even if they do not violate laws and regulations.
10.5 Draft Course of Action
・Comply with laws and regulations related to finance, and refrain from high-risk transactions even if they do not violate laws and regulations.
10.6 Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions
It aims to improve global international economic and financial institutions by expanding the influence of developing countries.
As a company, it may be interesting to incorporate decision-making based on the perspective of developing countries by increasing the voice of employees from developing countries in business development.
10.6 Draft Course of Action
・“We will consider incorporating decision-making based on the perspective of developing countries in corporate management.”
10.7 Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
It's about facilitating people's migration and movement here.
As a company, one possible contribution is to create a system for accepting immigrants as employees.
10.7 Draft Course of Action
・"When accepting immigrants as employees, create a support system to help them learn the language more smoothly, get used to the workplace, and improve their skills."
10.a Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, in accordance with World Trade Organization agreements
This is about preferential treatment for developing countries that comply with WTO agreements.
As a company, I believe that contributing to the development of developing countries when engaging in trade business will lead to contributions to the SDGs.
10.a Draft Course of Action
・"When engaging in trade business, etc., plan and implement activities that contribute to the development of developing countries"
10.b Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed countries, African countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans and programmes
It states that funds such as ODA will be sent to countries where the need is greatest.
As a company, especially when developing business in developing countries, it will be important to pay close attention to the government's ODA situation when making a business plan.
10.b Draft Course of Action
・"Especially when developing business in developing countries, etc., we will make a business plan while paying close attention to the government's ODA situation."
10.c By 2030, reduce to less than 3 per cent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent
This is thought to be an attempt by migrant workers to reduce the burden of fees when sending remittances to relatives living in their home countries.
As a company, when hiring immigrant workers or migrant workers from overseas, there may be support such as researching and providing information on remittance methods with low fees.
10.c Draft Course of Action
・"When hiring migrant workers or migrant workers from overseas, we will provide support to reduce the burden of remittances for them."
*Return to About Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Corporate Action Policy
