Slovenia – OECD National Contact Points (NCPs)

By Daniel Morris | 8. March 2019

Introduction

This Action Plan commits the Republic of Slovenia to achieving the objectives of the UN Guiding Principles and of other important international mechanisms concerning business and human rights protection and promotion, e.g. the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises… (pg. 4)

The state’s expectations of business enterprises

Furthermore, enterprises are encouraged to act in compliance with the UN Guiding Principles, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, and to report according to ISO 26000 and GRI standards. (pg. 7)

Principle 1 – State’s duty to protect HR

In accordance with the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, Slovenia is committed to the principles and standards of responsible business. (pg. 9)

Principle 2 – States sets expectation for respecting human rights

In Slovenia, economic operators are expected to proactively ensure human rights protection throughout their business operations in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy. (pg. 11)

Principle 3d – OECD Guidelines

To promote responsible business conduct, the Slovenian National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises…has been entrusted with tasks: active promotion of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; informing enterprises and the general public of the content of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; conducting mediation and conciliatory proceedings on the basis of filed complaints on violations of the Guidelines; monitoring the work of domestic and foreign multinational enterprises in Slovenia; cooperation with key institutions on promoting the principles of social responsibility of enterprises; annual reporting to the OECD Investment Committee, and regular consultations within the OECD. (pg. 22)

The Ministry of Economic Development and Technology provides technical support to the Slovenian National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. (pg. 22)

Principle 3d – Planned Measures – OECD Guidelines

The Ministry of Economic Development and Technology will be implementing activities to inform companies and the public of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, which were translated into the Slovene language in 2016. (pg. 23)

Principle 4 – Businesses receiving State support

As an OECD member country, Slovenia is bound by OECD recommendations requiring that decisions on officially supported export credits are based on the common principles for addressing environmental and social requirements for the export of capital, goods and services to certain locations. These recommendations are aimed at promoting policy coherence of OECD member countries for officially supported export credits relating to the environment, climate change, social and human rights, obligations to respect relevant international agreements and conventions and to contribute to sustainable development. (pg. 24)

The SID Bank is guided by the concept of responsible lending and implements the OECD policy on sustainable lending for export credit guarantees. (pg. 25)

Principle 9 – Adequate Domestic Policy

The latest trade agreements contain sustainable development provisions, which require that the signatories respect workers’ rights by acceding to ILO conventions, to protect the environment and to observe the provisions contained in the OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises. (pg. 30)

Principle 27 – OECD National Contact Point

Out-of-court dispute settlements are also possible through the OECD National Contact Point, which was established at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology. The National Contact Point can, through mediation and the conciliation procedure, help businesses and stakeholders to resolve issues concerning violations of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. (pg. 40)

Principle 27 – Planned Measures – OECD National Contact Point

To raise awareness of the OECD Guidelines and National Contact Point, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia will carry out activities for multinational enterprises that promote the OECD Guidelines. The Republic of Slovenia will strive to improve the functioning of the Slovenian National Contact Point in accordance with the OECD Guidelines. (pg. 41)