Respecting Corporate Social Responsibility : A Human Rights Approach and an EU Recommendation: The Case of Albania

Corporate Social Responsibility (Presented through the 'Global Compact' of UN) represents a concept that has increasingly received acceptance. Companies that embrace it recognize that their social and environmental impacts have to be managed in just the same way as their economic or commercial performance. Recent evidence suggests that companies embracing Corporate Social Responsibility stimulates creativity and learning. Corporate Social Responsibility principles are adhered to and strongly promoted in the EU level through communications from the European Commission. The latter has considered that CSR principles lead to sustainable business success. In its Commission Communication (2002) 347, dt. 2.07.2002 reaffirmed in Commission Communication (2006) no. 136, dt. 22.03.2006 On Corporate Social Responsibility, the latter is considered as an aspect of the European social model and as a mean that protects solidarity, cohesion and equal opportunities against to the global competition growth. In Albania, 'Global Compact' (GC) has been introduced since 2003 as part of an UNDP program. Disregarding the fact that the Albanian legislation or state policies do not regulate this concept. Several laws and regulations have been adopted reflecting similar elements of the Corporate Social Responsibility. However, there is a need for stronger regulation which presents the entirety of the concept in the human rights perspective to the open market as well. A better regulation is needed also from the perspective of the Albanian integration into the European union, disregarding the fact that it is not an acquis. The paper concludes that: CSR is a human rights issue: thus, respecting CSR is an indication of the level of guarantee and observance of human rights in the employment relations; CSR principles lead to sustainable development: thus it is in the interest of the private companies to adopt such principles; and last, but very important politically for the country; It is a European communication that respecting CSR is recommended to all EU member states, i.e. those who aspire to become EU members as well: this indicates that it is the obligation of the Albanian public administration structures to start analyzing in details and adopting any detailed requirement falling under such concept