Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a sound business strategy during both good and bad times, according to an executive from an international mining firm.

Speaking at a forum on human resources, Kevin Bishop, head of resourcing at Anglo American, recommended that organisations continue their CSR spending during the present economic downturn, HR Magazine reported.

Citing his firm's work in South Africa, Mr Bishop explained that Anglo American offers employment to vulnerable workers cleaning and bottling the excess water used in its mining process.

He told the business publication: "CSR is not philanthropy - it is the way we do business. We want to make a lasting contribution in the communities in which we operate to become a real employer of choice."

Explaining that CSR is not charity, Mr Bishop also added that it had enabled Anglo American to select the best candidates from a willing and able labor pool in Aids affected regions.

CSR has also become a major topic of discussion in Ghana, where the deputy minister for trade, John Gyetuah urged businesses and the government to develop a policy on the issue.© Adfero Ltd