The Tunisian companies’ adherence to corporate social responsibility (CSR) remains very timid, due to the lack of a wider awareness of its necessity and the opportunities it offers. The legal framework governing it should also be sufficiently impactful to promote this approach, according to a seminar organised on Wednesday in Tunis by the Tunisian-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CTFCI). Participants in the seminar on the theme “CSR: A fad, a constraint or an opportunity,” were unanimous in considering that CSR is neither a slogan to brandish nor a philanthropic action. “It is the responsibility of a company towards the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment, through transparent and ethical behaviour,” said CEO of Key Values Consulting and Audit Group Ziad Kadhi. “The CSR shall contribute to sustainable development, including the society’s health and well-being, take into account the expectations of stakeholders, comply with the laws in force and be consistent with international standards,” he considered, pointing out that “in this process, the social must be a goal, the economy a means and the environment a condition.” He further considered that “in view of the pressing environmental challenges (depletion of water resources, deforestation, desertification, global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, disappearance of living species, etc.), ethical issues (financial markets dominated by speculation, retreat of the role of States, worsening of economic and social divides exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis and the war in Europe, international tax evasion, etc.), but also pressure from stakeholders (European law on duty of care, European directive on corporate sustainability information, carbon adjustment mechanisms at European borders, etc.), but also to pressure from stakeholders (European law on duty of care, European directive on information on the sustainability of companies, carbon adjustment mechanisms at the borders of Europe, etc.), CSR is no longer a choice to be made but a strategic orientation to be adopted. “It is also a real performance lever for the company, a means of improving its economic, environmental and social efficiency. It helps companies anticipate constraints and prevent risks, reduce certain costs associated with the company’s activity, optimise resources, promote a good image and stand out from the competition, gain easier access to innovation, improve monitoring, increase competitiveness, gain easier access to financing and reinforce their territorial and social roots,” Kadhi indicated. Taking the floor, CTFCI Secretary General Mohamed Louzir said “he CSR should not be a fad or an announcement. Given the extent of the constraints and risks that hang over the future of our children, it is now an obligation. It is true that today we have a legal framework governing CSR, but this framework should be more impactful, more effective, stricter and more constraining to push companies to integrate a CSR approach. The financial sector could also have an impact on the national CSR approach if it associates the granting of financing to the degree of societal responsibility of companies.”

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse