Aid charity says business must be more responsible

A Scottish charity has slammed big corporations for polluting the environment and driving communities into poverty.

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund(Sciaf) is urging the government to make business activity more transparent, put UN and ethical laws into force and hold firms to account.

In its Taking Care of Business Report, Sciaf states that while business helps to create jobs and wealth, its impact on poor communities in third-world countries means many disadvantaged people are not seeing the benefits.

Sciaf policy officer Jo O’Neill said: “Despite efforts to tackle irresponsible businesses by governments, human rights and environmental abuses continue to take place, and all over the world human rights defenders continue to be threatened and killed.

“Stronger action from governments is clearly needed. It is time to shift the balance away from the interests of big business and towards those living in poverty.”

She added: “We must demand more transparency from business, particularly those that wield enormous political and economic power. Those who harm poor communities and the environment must be held responsible.”

Pope Francis recently called for action against unethical business practice, saying: “We can no longer trust in the unseen forces and the invisible hand of the market. Global justice requires more than economic growth.”