The FairPensions Blog

Guest posts represent the views of the author and not necessarily those of FairPensions.

Burma: Not Open for Business

Submitted by Matthew Butcher on Fri, 05/11/2012 - 11:53

This is a guest post by Kathy Mulvey

The electoral victory of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and her swearing-in this week as a member of Burma's parliament are major milestones. After more than a decade of sanctions, there is cause to celebrate in the wake of initial reforms by President Thein Sein and last month's parliamentary elections. Yet a briefing paper released in April by the Conflict Risk Network (CRN), a project of United to End Genocide, warns that high risks for investors - and the people of Burma - remain.

Hot Air

Submitted by Christine Berry on Tue, 04/03/2012 - 17:27

When it comes to legislation, a lot of campaigning ire this year has focussed on the speed with which major changes have been rushed through - whether it's the NHS reforms or changes to welfare and legal aid. But corporate campaigners have had exactly the opposite problem: progress on many issues seems to have slowed to a snail's pace, as worthy coalition commitments descend into consultation upon consultation and the light at the end of the tunnel recedes further and further into the distance.

Shoulda Woulda Coulda

Submitted by Louise Rouse on Thu, 03/15/2012 - 12:13

FairPensions has been following News Corp's woes for some time. Much has happened since our last blog on the topic. So much in fact that it is hard to keep up. Each day brings headlines of further arrests, court settlements with 'hacked' celebrities and allegations of corrupt payments.

Women’s Day, but a man’s workplace

Submitted by Sophie Crocker on Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:49

One need only look at some recent statistics to realise the prevailing gender gap in the private sector. For example, female executives are paid nearly 10% less than men for performing the same role. In 2010, women made up just 12.5% of FTSE100 boards with only 5.5% in executive directorships. Furthermore, 25% of the female workforce in the UK is paid less than £7.20 per hour. This ought to make uncomfortable reading for anybody concerned about gender inequality but it should also unsettle business leaders, women and men alike.

New Year's Resolutions

Submitted by Matthew Butcher on Wed, 01/11/2012 - 16:39

Less than 2 weeks into the new year and already 2012 is shaping up to be our busiest and most exciting year yet. Below are just some of our forthcoming projects.

With the number of people in working poverty in the UK increasing, and half of children living in poverty having parents who work, we are still going strong with our Living Wage campaign. We're working with investors to put the pressure on big names in the FTSE 100 and a number of companies have already come over the line. We're expecting some further announcements shortly.

Another busy year at FairPensions

Submitted by Matthew Butcher on Fri, 12/23/2011 - 12:52

It's been a hectic, eventful and succesful year at FairPensions.

With the support of our investor coalition we brought up the issue of low pay with each of Britain's 100 biggest listed companies. We highlighted the business case for companies who pay Living Wages as well as focussing on the severe consequences that low pay has on the families of the 21% of workers who earn below the Living Wage.

Companies and investors should be thinking about biodiversity

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 16:52

Environmental issues such as climate change and pollution have been given increasing attention in the world of business over the last decade, yet issues surrounding biodiversity have received little focus in comparison. The 2nd Global Business of Biodiversity Symposium was held on 28th November 2011 in London, with the title "Protecting the bottom line...Naturally!" in an attempt to address this.

Occupy London

Submitted by Matthew Butcher on Thu, 12/01/2011 - 12:07

The Occupy movement, that has swept the globe in recent months, has been a wake up call to the financial world. No longer can the institutions of The City of London and other global financial centres operate without the close analysis of the public.