When governments are cowed or simply don't care to enforce fundamental human and labour rights or to ensure corporate tax is paid so that they can invest in social protection and in the health and education of their people, they cede control to corporate greed.

In this quote, Sharan Burrow, a prominent labor leader and advocate for workers' rights, highlights the dangers of governments failing to enforce fundamental human and labor rights. She argues that when governments are either too intimidated (cowed) or negligent in protecting basic rights or ensuring that corporate taxes are paid, they allow corporations to gain unchecked power. Burrow suggests that this neglect leads to a situation where corporate greed takes precedence over the well-being of citizens.

Burrow emphasizes the importance of governments playing an active role in ensuring that corporations fulfill their social responsibilities. This includes enforcing laws that protect workers and ensuring that businesses contribute fairly to public services, such as health and education. When corporations are not held accountable for their economic obligations, the burden of funding social protection often falls on individuals or the state, creating inequalities and social unrest.

The quote is a critique of a system where corporations are allowed to evade their responsibilities, particularly with regard to paying taxes and respecting workers' rights. Burrow is warning that when governments fail to regulate corporate behavior, it leads to a concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few, which undermines social justice and the overall well-being of the population. This lack of regulation can have far-reaching consequences, including poor public services, inadequate healthcare, and insufficient educational opportunities.

In conclusion, Sharan Burrow’s quote stresses the vital role that governments must play in ensuring that corporations contribute fairly to society. By enforcing human rights, labor rights, and corporate tax obligations, governments can prevent corporate greed from undermining essential social services and the rights of citizens. Burrow’s words call for a more balanced and equitable system where corporate interests do not outweigh the public good.