A/HRC/44/43/Add.1 interaction between these bodies, although it learned about a plan to allow for integrated reporting on goals and indicators under Sustainable Development Goal 5 and the Gender Equality Chapter of the Action Plan. 94. These coordination bodies have the potential to expand coordination efforts across critical human rights policy areas, which are all closely related to the business and human rights agenda. The Working Group encourages greater and frequent interaction among them and across State institutions and government entities, which have a role to play in implementing business and human rights standards. In this regard, it encourages the Government to implement the recommendations contained in its 2019 report to the General Assembly on policy coherence in government action to protect against business-related human rights abuses (A/74/198). XI. Conclusions and recommendations A. Conclusions 95. In the early 2000s, the Government initiated extensive deregulatory programmes that eliminated entire sets of rules protecting workers and the environment with the aim of attracting foreign investment and improving the country’s score in the ease of doing business. That included, in 2006, a dramatic reduction of worker protections in the Labour Code and the abolishment of the Labour Inspectorate, leaving Georgian workers without adequate protection for almost a decade. Since 2013, Georgia has taken an incremental approach towards gradually improving labour and safety standards and government oversight, including through the re-establishment in 2015 of a Labour Inspectorate, albeit with a limited mandate. The Working Group welcomes the ongoing efforts to address remaining gaps in the regulatory framework, and to strengthen the Labour Conditions Inspection Department’s mandate. The adoption of the business and human rights chapter in the 2018–2020 National Action Plan on Human Rights as well as other ongoing reforms reflect such efforts. The Working Group urges the Government and the parliament to expedite the adoption of the necessary reforms in order to quickly bring the labour rights regime in line with international labour standards and the country’s international human right commitments. 96. The Working Group also observed efforts by the Government to find a balanced approach towards attracting foreign investment, gaining energy independence, and discharging its duty to protect against business-related human rights abuses. The Working Group was encouraged by steps taken by the Government to address existing gaps in the regulatory and monitoring framework in order to protect the environment and communities affected by large-scale projects, in particular in the mining and energy sectors. However, the Government should take more proactive action to implement the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, including by strengthening oversight, setting clear expectations for companies to respect human rights through effective human rights due diligence processes in all sectors, and holding companies accountable for human rights abuses. 97. More efforts should also be made to raise awareness and common understanding among all stakeholders about the concept of responsible business conduct and of the independent responsibility of businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to respect human rights under the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. 98. The development of the National Human Rights Strategy for 2021–2030 represents a key opportunity to ensure the full integration of the “Protect, Respect and Remedy” framework of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights into the strategy, including by developing a stand-alone national action plan on business and human rights, with the equal and meaningful participation of stakeholders. 18

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