The Concept and Essence of Corporate Social Responsibility in the System of Social Law: Focus on Labour Law

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a vital paradigm for integrating ethical, social, and environmental concerns into corporate strategies. This article explores CSR as a legal and institutional phenomenon within the broader framework of social law, with a special focus on labour law. It examines the conceptual and normative foundations of CSR, its evolution from voluntary practice to quasi-legal obligation, and the mechanisms of implementation through labour standards, collective bargaining, and state incentives. Particular attention is given to how CSR serves as a complement to labour law in promoting fair working conditions, occupational safety, equal treatment, and sustainable employment practices. The article draws upon comparative legal approaches in the European Union, the United States, and Uzbekistan, highlighting the intersections and tensions between legal mandates and voluntary CSR commitments. Using doctrinal and analytical legal methods, the study argues that CSR, when properly embedded into social law, can enhance the effectiveness of labour protections and contribute to a more equitable socio-economic order.