Fed: Business must contribute to society, say unions

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2008
Fed: Business must contribute to society, say unions

ADELAIDE, Aug 22 AAP - Big business, like the rest of society, has a responsibility
to strive for equity and justice in the wider community, the South Australian union movement
says.

SA Unions secretary Janet Giles said that with careful consideration and good policies,
it was possible for the whole country to share in the wealth generated by major corporations.

"The bigger the company and its profits, the bigger its opportunity to contribute to
the community around it," she told a conference on social justice, government and business
in Adelaide today.

"Companies like BHP Billiton, which this week posted a $17.6 billion profit, have a
huge capacity to contribute and work to show the world that a socially just mining boom
is achievable."

Ms Giles said it was a simple principle of exchange - if somebody wants something,
they should give something in return.

"A company wants to dig up our resources, the community wants to share in that wealth
via jobs," she said.

"The people of South Australia should not simply be fodder for exploitation.

"We're not asking business to be a charity, but to invest in opportunities for the
community it exists in, and that community will repay it with a strong workforce and vibrant
economy that can buy its products."

AAP tjd/jt/cdh

KEYWORD: EQUITY

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