Corporate Social Responsibility and Health-Vulnerable Workers: Legal Concepts and Future Directions

Zlatanović, Sanja and Sovilj, Ranko and Stjelja, Ivana (2026) Corporate Social Responsibility and Health-Vulnerable Workers: Legal Concepts and Future Directions. Stanovništvo. ISSN 0038-982X

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Abstract

The global normative framework for conceptualizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) is primarily shaped by non-binding, so-called soft law mechanisms, leaving companies to regulate this area internally. CSR generally refers to a voluntary commitment by companies to integrate ethical, social, and sustainability principles into their management and decision-making processes. A significant dimension of such voluntary engagement is the protection of vulnerable workers, particularly regarding their safety and health, which could be further strengthened and transformed into a legal obligation through the duty of care standard. This paper examines the role and place of CSR, from both labour law and company law perspectives, in enhancing the labour and social rights of health-vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities and workers with rare diseases. Using legal-theoretical, normative, and comparative methods, it explores how CSR initiatives can complement formal legal obligations, bridging gaps in protection and fostering more inclusive and equitable workplace practices.

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