Policy: Social

Introduction 
Sustainable investors are at the forefront of efforts to improve the working conditions in global supply chains, resource extraction practices, international and domestic human rights, and fair labor practices. 

Priority Areas of Action 
Pay Ratio Rule: Public companies should be required to disclose the ratio of the median of the annual total compensation of all employees compared to the annual total compensation of the chief executive officer. This measure allows investors to make informed investment decisions and vote their proxies with an understanding of a company's approach to CEO compensation.
 
Conflict Mineral Rule and Supply Chain Transparency: Sustainable investors value responsible management of global supply chain risks. Particularly, stakeholders are concerned with the role of four minerals, "conflict minerals," in funding violence.  Through regulated disclosures, not only do companies and investors benefit, but we all indirectly contribute to a peaceful, prosperous, and stable conflict-free minerals trade in central Africa, protecting human rights in the global supply chains of US companies.

Minimum Wage: The US cannot solve economic inequality until it addresses fundamental socioeconomic inequality. The United States must move to a minimum wage of at least $15 an hour. A $15 minimum wage is either in place or required by a future date in cities and states, including Seattle, San Francisco, New York and New York City, and California.

Paid Sick Leave: Attention to worker health is an essential component of a healthy and resilient economy. Mandated paid sick leave is a realistic public policy objective, as evidenced by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), signed into law on March 18, 2020. Lessons learned from the FFCRA should be used to structure a permanent paid leave law.


Letters and Statements
US SIF Comment Letter on Reconsideration of Pay Ratio Rule Implementation 03/2017
US SIF Comment Letter on Reconsideration of Conflict Minerals Rule Implementation 03/2017
Investor Statement on Reconsideration of Conflict Minerals Rule Implementation 02/2017
Multi-stakeholder Group Letter to Special Envoy Feingold 05/2014
Investor Letter on Federal Court Decision Denying Suspension of Conflict Mineral Reporting Rule  05/2014
US SIF Comment Letter to the SEC on Proposed Pay Ratio Disclosure Rule 12/2013
Multi-stakeholder Group Letter to the European Commission regarding conflict minerals 06/2013
Investor Statement on Bangladesh Garment Factory Disaster  05/2013
Investor Statement on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 08/2012
Letter to Republican Leadership re: Business Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act (HR 2759) 01/2012
US SIF Comment Letter to the SEC on Pay Disparity 04/2011
US SIF Comment Letter on SEC Draft Rule on Conflict Minerals Disclosure  03/2011
US SIF Comment Letter on SEC Draft Rule on Extraction Issuer Payments to Governments  03/2011
US SIF Comment Letter on SEC Draft Rule on Mine Safety Disclosure 01/2011