Corporates need to be responsible global citizens

The Indian Supreme Court will consider harsher sentences for the seven men convicted for the Bhopal gas tragedy, the world's worst industrial accident which killed thousands in 1984 — and has continued to claim lives ever since. Those responsible deserve the severest penalties available under the law to deter other corporations and their officials — who have been entrusted with the lives of workers and nearby communities — from being murderously negligent in their duties. Those responsible are alleged to have ignored safety warnings at the pesticide plant, then majority owned by the US corporation, Union Carbide.

The seven have been sentenced to two years in jail. The men were charged with negligence, rather than culpable homicide which carries a ten-year jail sentence. The Indian government requested that the charges and sentence be reviewed after a public outcry about the light punishment handed out.

In the US, energy company BP is confronting an international outcry after its rig, Deepwater Horizon, exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers and starting an oil spill, so far the biggest in the history of the industry. BP is facing a number of US government investigations and possible legal action and has been forced to put $20 billion (Dh73.4 billion) aside to cover claims arising from the accident. BP has made it clear that it does not believe it was grossly negligent and the causes of the accident are still being established. The truth must be uncovered.

These and many other corporate failures underline the need for companies to be responsible global citizens, contributing to the health, wealth and welfare of their shareholders as well as the communities and environment in which they do business. While countries must allow corporates to operate freely to attract investment and create jobs, when businesses abuse their rights and ignore their responsibilities, governments must step in to regulate them and ensure justice.