BRAND TALK

Unilever sets out plans to help build a more equitable and inclusive society

Published February 26, 2021 07:59 PM

Unilever announced a wide-ranging set of commitments and actions to help build a more equitable and inclusive society by raising living standards across its value chain, creating opportunities through inclusivity, and preparing people for the future of work.  

With an extensive business presence in the Philippines, Unilever has the scale to positively impact the livelihood, not only of its employees, but everyone involved in its entire value chain – most notably small and micro enterprises and smallholder farmers.

Unilever’s main commitments include:

• Ensuring that everyone who directly provides goods and services to Unilever earns at least a living wage or income, by 2030

• Spending €2 billion annually with suppliers owned and managed by people from under-represented groups, by 2025

• Pioneering new employment models for its employees, and equipping 10m young people with essential skills to prepare them for job opportunities, by 2030

Alan Jope, Unilever CEO, explained, “The two biggest threats that the world currently face are climate change and social inequality. The past year has undoubtedly widened the social divide, and decisive and collective action is needed to build a society that helps to improve livelihoods, embraces diversity, nurtures talent, and offers opportunities for everyone.

“We believe the actions we are committing to will make Unilever a better, stronger business; ready for the huge societal changes we are experiencing today – changes that will only accelerate. Without a healthy society, there cannot be a healthy business.” 

Ensuring that people earn a living wage or income is a critical step towards building a more equitable and inclusive society. It allows people to afford a decent standard of living, covering a family’s basic needs: food, water, housing, education, healthcare, transportation, clothing; and includes a provision for unexpected events. A living wage should allow workers to participate fully in their communities and help them break the cycle of poverty.

It is also critical for Unilever to create more opportunities for people from under-represented groups – both within and outside its organisation. Diversity in the workplace directly results in improved financial performance through its capacity to foster innovation, creativity and empathy.

As Unilever helps to build a more equitable and inclusive society, the company recognises that changes to the world of work will affect the employment prospects of many people. Many current ways of working – roles, places, hours, skills – are rapidly evolving. The company acknowledges its responsibility to generate and sustain employability, by preparing its employees and other people beyond its organization for the societal and technological changes that are taking place. 

In the Philippines, a vast majority of small and micro enterprises comprise of hundreds of thousands of sari-sari stores.  Unilever has embarked on the Kabisig Summit, an innovative program that enhances the livelihood of these small-scale retailers by providing them with essential entrepreneurial skills.  Sari-sari store owners are coached on business management skills such as cash and inventory management, selling techniques, and customer service using new digital training modules.  Unilever has also partnered with microfinance institutions and banks to provide these small retailers access to more capital to help them grow their business. New digital platforms were also introduced to now over 50,000 Kabisig stores which helps in facilitating the sales and distribution of products across the country.

Unilever also works with thousands of smallholder farmers in improving their yield and income through its Unilever Sustainable Agri Code (USAC) - a training and support program focused on strong sustainable agricultural practices and value chain integration. An example of this partnership is their Sampaloc landmark farms for their food brand Knorr, which has benefited over 800 smallholder farmers and their families to date.

“Sustainability is the driving force in Unilever’s growth and investment story, and we remain committed in uplifting the quality of life of our partners within the value chain and the communities that we serve,” shared Unilever Philippines Chairman and CEO, Benjie Yap.

 

 

Paid press release from Unilever Philippines

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