Would India elaborate on the extent to which, and how, social and labour issues are addressed within each of the FTAs signed during the reviewing period?
Reply: India considers RTAs as instruments for increasing bilateral and regional trade with its partners with the aim of developing industry. India believes that social and labour issues are better dealt with by directly addressing them through targeted policy interventions and schemes and not by linking them with trade.
The report does not provide information of corporate social responsibility regulations and guidelines which are an important element of the business environment.
Could India provide information about corporate social responsibility regulations and guidelines in place including any recent development?
Reply: In order to assist the businesses to adopt responsible governance practices, the Government of India has prepared Corporate Social Responsibility Voluntary Guidelines 2009 for responsible business which will add value to the operations and contribute towards the long term sustainability of the business. These guidelines indicate some of the core elements that businesses need to focus on while conducting their affairs. The core elements of the CSR Policy includes care for all stakeholders, ethical functioning, respect for workers' rights and welfare, respect for human rights, respect for environment and activities such as education, skill building for livelihood of people, health, cultural and social welfare particularly for the disadvantaged sections of society for social and inclusive development. This will enable business to focus as well as contribute towards the interests of the stakeholders and the society.
While the report explains that foreign companies can incorporate as foreign branches (footnote 20), it also indicates that foreign branch offices can only engage in foreign trade and representative activities.
Could India confirm whether a branch of a foreign company is allowed to operate without incorporation?
