THE LEGAL NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AS A SOCIO-LEGAL INSTITUTION: A LABOR LAW PERSPECTIVE

Аннотация

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has transcended its initial voluntary nature and has become a key element in shaping labor relations and influencing regulatory frameworks. This article explores CSR as a socio-legal institution, focusing on its transformation from ethical obligation to legal expectation in labor law. It discusses the theoretical foundations of CSR, its evolution, its intersection with labor rights, and its incorporation into international labor standards, national legislation, and judicial interpretations. The study employs a comparative and normative methodology, emphasizing the legal obligations of employers, the role of workers' rights, and the impact of international instruments such as the ILO Conventions and the UN Global Compact. The paper concludes with recommendations on strengthening CSR's legal enforceability and embedding it within national labor legal systems to promote sustainable and equitable employment practices. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, labor law, socio-legal institution, international labor standards, ILO, employer obligations, workers’ rights, legal regulation Introduction. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has increasingly become a central feature in the governance of labor relations, playing a crucial role in shaping employer behavior and safeguarding workers’ rights. Traditionally viewed as a voluntary initiative, CSR has evolved into a normative framework guiding corporate conduct in both domestic and transnational contexts. While its origins lie in ethical and philanthropic commitments, CSR is now embedded within a complex legal environment influenced by international instruments, soft law mechanisms, and binding national labor legislation. The labor law domain, in particular, serves as a fertile ground for the development and application of CSR principles. As the relationship between employers and employees becomes more dynamic and globalized, CSR helps bridge legal gaps in protecting workers, especially in jurisdictions with weak 69 CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCES International scientific-online conference enforcement mechanisms. This paper aims to examine CSR from a socio-legal perspective, emphasizing its legal nature, institutional characteristics, and its operationalization within labor law. Defining CSR. CSR refers to a company’s commitment to manage the social, environmental, and economic effects of its operations responsibly and in accordance with public expectations. According to the European Commission, CSR is "the responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society." In legal scholarship, CSR is often situated within the broader field of social regulation and ethical corporate governance. Socio-Legal Perspective. From a socio-legal standpoint, CSR is not merely a set of voluntary actions but a developing normative institution that interacts with law, morality, and market expectations. It operates in the interstitial space between hard law and soft law, influencing legal standards and gradually acquiring binding force through repeated practice, stakeholder pressure, and legal transposition. CSR and Legal Pluralism. CSR exemplifies legal pluralism, where non-state norms, such as corporate codes of conduct, interact with formal legal systems. Companies increasingly rely on internal codes, social audits, and sustainability reports that, while non-binding in origin, create de facto obligations and expectations that may become enforceable through contract law, tort law, or labor law mechanisms. Evolution of Labor Rights within CSR Frameworks. The relationship between CSR and labor law dates back to early 20th-century labor movements that sought ethical treatment of workers. Over time, CSR has internalized labor rights, especially as defined by the International Labour Organization, including freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, and the elimination of forced and child labor. The Role of the ILO and International Instruments. The ILO has played a central role in shaping CSR frameworks. Its conventions, although not always directly enforceable, influence corporate codes of conduct and national legislation. For instance, the ILO’s Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy guides companies on respecting labor rights across borders. Similarly, the UN Global Compact integrates labor rights into its ten principles, aligning CSR with international labor standards. Voluntariness and Normativity. Although CSR began as a voluntary initiative, it is now increasingly subject to legal norms. The principle of “comply 70 CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCES International scientific-online conference or explain” in jurisdictions like the UK reflects this hybrid nature—CSR expectations are voluntary in form but backed by disclosure and reputational mechanisms that exert legal pressure. CSR norms often originate in soft law—guidelines