Maka-Negosyo, Maka-Tao: The Effects of Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) Practices on Employee Relations in the Food Service Industry of Laguna, Philippines

Abstract

Businesses have the responsibility to exhibit their commitment in respecting human rights. This responsibility is tagged under the human rights due diligence (HRDD) process, which identifies and acts upon human rights violations for employees. This study aims to recognize issues in how employers address human rights-related risks, explain how the implementation of HRDD affects employee relations, and establish a connection between HRDD practices and employee relations in the food service industry of Laguna, Philippines. This study follows the exploratory research and case study methods, and convenience sampling was used to pick five (5) interview participants, who are all business owners, and twenty-two (22) survey respondents, who are all employees of the said owners.Data was analyzed through transcription and thematic analysis, and ethical considerations were strictly followed. Results suggest that human rights due diligence processes are fairly implemented in restaurants in Laguna. There are also no major issues regarding human rights violations of their employees and other stakeholders in terms of discrimination, freedom of speech, and compensation in such businesses. Furthermore, it can be inferred that human rights due diligence practices in businesses positively affect employee relations. Businesses belonging to the food service industry in Laguna are aware of their obligation to respect human rights and the action steps that must be taken to prevent human rights-related issues. Furthermore, this study is recommended to businesses, human rights organizations, governments, and the academe. Awareness on the current context of HRDD in the Philippines can be extended to these beneficiaries to further the cause of human rights in the workplace, and legal implications can be explored.