Unilever announced commitments "to help build a more equitable and inclusive society by raising living standards across its value chain, creating opportunities through inclusivity, and preparing people for the future of work."
Unilever's commitments include:
- Ensuring that everyone who directly provides goods and services to the company earns at least a living wage or income by 2030
- Spending €2 billion annually with suppliers owned and managed by people from under-represented groups by 2025
- Pioneering new employment models for its employees and equipping 10 million young people with essential skills to prepare them for job opportunities by 2030
- Helping 5 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in its retail value chain grow their business through access to skills, finance and technology by 2025
Unilever seeks to achieve an equitable culture through progressive policies and practices which eliminate bias and discrimination.
Through a new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, Unilever is removing barriers and bias in recruitment, establishing leadership accountability for supporting its employees to excel in their roles, and aiming to achieve a workforce that is representative of the population in the countries where it operates.
"We will increase the number of advertisements that include people from diverse groups, both on screen and behind the camera," the company announced. "We will help tackle the prevalence of stereotypes that are often perpetuated through advertising, and promote a more inclusive representation of people."
Alan Jope, Unilever CEO, said: “The two biggest threats that the world currently faces are climate change and social inequality. The past year has undoubtedly widened the social divide, and decisive and collective action is needed to build a society that helps to improve livelihoods, embraces diversity, nurtures talent, and offers opportunities for everyone."
He added, “We believe the actions we are committing to will make Unilever a better, stronger business; ready for the huge societal changes we are experiencing today—changes that will only accelerate. Without a healthy society, there cannot be a healthy business.”
