In the chapter "Corporate human rights obligations under specific socio-economic rights", Jernej Letnar Černič writes about the general obligations of companies with regard to socio-economic rights, particularly specific socio-economic rights. Černič addresses socio-economic rights such as the right to education, food, health, adequate housing, and the right to have access to water. Černič defines these as fundamental rights that are necessary for the general well-being and dignity of the human being. In the chapter, Černič argues that companies are obliged to respect and guarantee a fundamental core of socio-economic rights and refers to the UN's "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development". Firstly, Černič goes into more detail on the right to education. Černič shows how the private sector has a major influence in the field of education, especially where the state itself does not provide adequate education. For the capabilities and self- realization of individuals, education and thus the right to education is a fundamental component. More than 80 % of regional constitutions already protect the right to education. There are also efforts at the international level, such as the UN International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to protect the right to education. Černič demands that states must actively ensure that the right to education can be exercised. Companies, on the other hand, should focus on the measures that are most appropriate for the respective situation. Secondly, Černič discusses the right to food, which is fundamental for a sustainable livelihood. The right to food would generally be considered indirectly in regional constitutions through the right to life or another human right. In this context, the author refers to the CESRC, which provides for an obligation for the state to ensure that companies indirectly also have to take care of the right to food. Černič suggests that companies should not only be guided by their obligations but should also consider their existence and their financial contribution to sustainable development. Then, Černič deals with the right to health. Černič divides the right into two parts: the right of access to health services and the right of access to the fundamental elements of the right to health. The chapter talks about how the right to health is already very much in place and how the state ensures availability, access, acceptability and quality. Companies must respect the right to health and, as a minimum, take this into account for their employees. Moving on, Černič examines the right to adequate housing. It is a right that contributes to a decent socio-economic standard. The right has developed from the right to an adequate standard of living. The role of companies in this right is expressed through the influence of investors, landlords and construction companies. The right to adequate housing is also reflected in many constitutions. The right is thus mainly derived from the regional legal structures. In the last section Černič goes into more detail about the right to water. In conclusion, Černič argues that both history and the present show how companies worldwide can have a direct and indirect influence on the exercise of the right to water. For example, they can have a positive influence on access to water with financial resources. Černič illustrates how both states and corporations, especially when they take on public responsibilities, have a duty to uphold and protect the right to water. Černič argues that not only States have to ensure that socio-economic rights are available to people; companies must also ensure that they respect and, above all, do not violate socio-economic rights.
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