Practical insights on responsible business in the MENA region
A practical brief for companies operating in or connected to the Middle East on how conflict escalation can affect workers, suppliers, and continuity plans and what responsible businesses should do now to protect people
Guidance for companies facing contract pressure during conflict or economic hardship, with a clear message: commercial decisions should not shift avoidable harm onto workers and suppliers.
Conversations about what responsible business means for companies operating across the Arab States
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About the Massar Podcast
Massar Podcast is a bilingual (English–Arabic) podcast dedicated to demystifying Business and Human Rights in the Arab world through practical, locally grounded conversations. Hosted by Krystel Bassil, Founder of BHRMENA, Massar explores how businesses across MENA are navigating labour rights, supply chains, sustainability, climate justice, and corporate responsibility in real-world contexts. Each episode features regional and global experts and uses concrete examples from the Arab States to explain international frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines in an accessible way. Designed for practitioners, policymakers, students, and anyone new to the field, Massar bridges global standards with local realities — one conversation at a time.
Episode 1 | What is Business & Human Rights and why is it relevant to the MENA Region
Joined by Noor Hamadeh
A simple introduction to business and human rights in the Arab world, with real examples that explain why the topic matters to companies, investors, and policymakers.
Episode 2 | What is Just Transition?" Putting people at the heart of climate action in the MENA Region
Joined by Rayan Kassem
A practical conversation on how climate action, labour protection, and social justice connect in the MENA region — and why companies need to keep people at the center of climate strategy.
Episode 3 | Effective grievance mechanisms: Lessons from on-the-ground assessments
Joined by Aya Nafi'
An on-the-ground discussion of what companies miss when they rely only on audits, and why worker trust, engagement, and credible grievance channels matter in practice.
Episode 4 | Beyond recruitment: Why businesses in the MENA region must lead on skilling & reskilling of their workforce
Joined by Tanja Dedovic
A discussion of why businesses in the MENA region need to think beyond hiring and invest in skilling, reskilling, and fair labour systems that strengthen both workers and business resilience.