For Novartis, respect for human rights is an essential ingredient of good management and business practice. We do everything in our power to ensure that we are not complicit in any human-rights violations, whether such transgressions are civil, political, economic, social or cultural.

In addition to signing the UN Global Compact, Novartis is one of the few multinational corporations to have developed a guideline on human rights. This document outlines our human-rights commitments and responsibilities and is implemented through normal management procedures.

Through the work of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development, Novartis has taken a leadership role in human rights and business. We are helping to define the part business can play in protecting and promoting human rights, particularly with regard to the right to health.

We also believe that economic, social and cultural rights should be respected in the course of our business activities. We endorse the right to an appropriate standard of living that guarantees health and well-being for a family, including food, clothing, accommodation and medical care. Following this belief, we were among the first international companies to develop and implement a voluntary commitment to pay living wages to our employees around the world.

Learn more about our commitment to human rights on our website Citizenship@Novartis