Procurement of medical goods and human rights

"The healthcare sector and government in Australia are failing to address labour and human rights violations linked to the production of healthcare goods." This is the conclusion of a recent report by Martijn Boersma published by the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Foundation and The Australia Institute, Do no harm: procurement of medical goods by Australian companies and government.

The existence of labour and human rights abuses in medical goods supply chains means that the health of Australians is coming at the cost of the abuse and exploitation of workers in low-wage countries. The report urges a commitment to the ethical production, procurement and management of medical goods supply chains. This report finds that despite their legal and moral responsibilities, the healthcare sector and government in Australia are failing to address labour and human rights violations linked to the production of healthcare goods.