AG Global Responsibility welcomes EU supply chain law that will strengthen human rights of millions of workers worldwide, but regrets remaining loopholes for companies
Vienna (OTS) – “Last night’s political agreement on an EU supply chain law between the European Council and Parliament is a ray of hope for millions of workers around the world whose human rights are violated every day along the value chains of internationally operating companies. Environmental pollution caused by large companies, “The law will put a stop to it in the future,” said Lukas Wank, welcoming the result of the negotiations that have come to an end.
Civil liability included allows those affected to sue companies
The managing director of AG Global Responsibility points to the devastating situation of the up to 783 million people who recently suffered from hunger. According to the UN Development Program, over a billion people are considered multidimensionally poor and, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO), 27.6 million were recently engaged in forced labor. 160 million children regularly work for several hours a day, 79 million of them in dangerous and exploitative conditions.
“In order for these people to have a chance of an adequate standard of living and a life in dignity, the European Union and its Member States are called upon to ensure once and for all that their economic, trade and financial policies contributes to sustainable development worldwide and doesn’t hinder them. The EU Supply Chain Act is a real milestone in this regard, for example it contains civil liability.
This will enable those affected to sue for compensation and oblige international corporations to assume international responsibility,” emphasizes Wank.
However, the managing director of the development policy umbrella organization regrets that the law still has loopholes. It provides for far-reaching exceptions for the financial sector and civil liability does not cover the weak climate protection measures. The European Council and EU Parliament are expected to vote on the text of the law in March 2024.
Finally, Wank addressed the Austrian federal government: “There is still a lot to do for the EU and its member states if they actually want to enable all people to live a humane life on a healthy planet. Especially in view of the development policy resources that the European Council threatens cuts. We therefore want to support the Austrian government in the committed implementation of the EU Supply Chain Act and encourage it to close the remaining loopholes. This is to the advantage of the numerous Austrian companies that already focus on sustainability in their global trade and supply chains and are flagships of the domestic economy.
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Die GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY – Working Group for Development and Humanitarian Aid is the umbrella organization of 33 Austrian development and humanitarian non-governmental organizations. Our member organizations carry out 1,000 projects in 120 countries every year, helping to enable a decent life for everyone on a healthy planet.
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