Too many Asian firms approach human rights as a compliance exercise, exposing vulnerable groups to abuse, says Fair Future SG founder Natasha Latiff.

In a year when misinformation ran amok, “bad” news was vilified, and climate wins were few and far between, here are the stories that Eco-Business readers found most interesting.

Young Indonesian men sent to a 'drug rehabilitation' centre were subjected to violence and forced to work in an oil palm plantation. Two died from injuries sustained at the site, reports The Gecko Project.

Studio EB Research finds that financial institutions in the region are largely silent on conflicts over land rights. Most do not consider, in their lending and investment practices, whether women farm workers are treated unequally or if general labour conditions are fair.