The Effect Of Multinational Corporations On Human Rights In Developing Countries

Abstract

This study sought to analyze the effects of Cirio Del Monte activities on Human Rights in Kenya. The study was guided by the following questions; What contribution has Cirio De Monte Company made towards the development of Human Rights in Kenya? To what extent has the existing legal ad policy framework regulated the behavior of the MNCs in with regards to the promotion of human rights in Kenya? In order to respond to these questions, the study had he following objectives: To establish the contribution which Cirio De Monte Company has made towards the development of Human Rights in Kenya and; To determine the extent in which the existing legal and policy framework has regulated the behavior of the MNCs with regards to the promotion of human rights in Kenya. The study was anchored on Economic Liberalism Theory which argued that there should be freedom in the market to be enjoyed by all, and that there should minimum state involvement in the affairs of the market, however, the government should put in place policies that safeguards the rights of its citizens from labor exploitation. The study found out that the activities of Cirio Del Monte company has had mixed results on the employees’ welfare. It also established that Cirio Del Monte Company has put in place mechanisms to protect the environmental rights of the employees but are insufficient, finally the study established that the employees’ welfare in Cirio Del Monte company is not adequately taken care of. In order to address these concerns, the study recommended that there is need for Cirio De Monte company to allow its workers to form trade union groups to advocate for their rights, secondly the Government of Kenya should address this issue of short term contracting i.e. 3 months’ contract by employers as it’s being abused. The study also recommends that the government of Kenya should device mechanisms that can help ensure that MNCs respect the rights of their employee.