Discrimination

The caste system in South Asia divides people by birth into hierarchical and unequal social groups. Mobility between groups is generally impossible. Caste permeates all aspects of life, determining where people live, whom they can marry and what job opportunities are available to them. People facing caste discrimination have limited access to land, water and education, and are usually unrepresented in decision-making positions.

Caste-based discrimination affects hundreds of millions of people in South Asia. Those at the bottom of the caste system work in some of the most difficult conditions in global supply chains and are most vulnerable to child and forced labour, as caste discrimination is often at the root of other labour rights violations.

Intersecting forms of discrimination

Women from caste-affected communities face intersecting forms of discrimination, compounding both their caste background and their gender. Additionally, for those who migrate for work, their migration status further exacerbates these vulnerabilities, leaving them even more marginalised and exposed to exploitation.

Caste discrimination: a blind spot in human rights due diligence

Caste discrimination is often overlooked as a root cause of other labour rights violations. Few companies have developed strategies to address this serious form of discrimination and exclusion. There is a general lack of awareness surrounding the issue, and it is frequently not identified in risk assessments. Additionally, companies rarely engage with workers affected by caste discrimination or with the organisations that support them. Failure to recognise and address this root cause of labour rights violations can significantly undermine the effectiveness of due diligence efforts.

Arisa, in collaboration with partners across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, works to raise awareness among companies operating in South Asia about the risks of caste discrimination. Companies should include this issue in their due diligence practices and ensure affected individuals have access to remedy.