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Bundestag adopts supply chain law - what can textile workers hope for now?
For a long time, FEMNET has advocated a legal regulation for companies to ensure compliance with labour and human rights requirements of their suppliers. The Supply Chain Act has now been passed.
FEMNET CEO Dr. Gisela Burckhardt says: “Although the Supply Chain Act adopted falls far short of what we want, it is a first step towards making companies more accountable for their business due diligence. Finally, closers can insist that gender-based violence in the workplace is not tolerated. However, they still cannot bring their rights before German courts under German law, which is a major shortcoming of the law. Here, the hope remains that the EU will adopt a more ambitious supply chain law that also deserves its name by covering the entire supply chain and not just the immediate supplier, but also all companies and not just the big ones. Human rights must apply everywhere.”
Below is the press statement of the Supply Chain Act initiative of 11.06.2021
“Not yet at the finish, but finally at the start” - Commentary on the Supply Chain Act Decision
Berlin, 11.06.2021. At its meeting today, the Bundestag adopted the Supply Chain Act. Johanna Kusch, coordinator of the civil society alliance “Initiative Supply Chain Law”, comments:
“In the fight against human rights violations and environmental degradation in supply chains, we are far from reaching our goal, but we have finally started today: For the first time in Germany, a law requires companies to take responsibility for the people in their supply chains. This is a success of civil society and good news for all those who work under exploitative conditions in the supply chains of German companies.
Today's vote in the Bundestag was preceded by a lobbying battle that is second to none. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and many members of the Union have weakened the law in numerous places due to pressure from business lobbyists. The law includes too few companies and makes too many exceptions to due diligence obligations. It denies those affected the right to compensation and unfortunately does not signal climate protection in supply chains.
Therefore, this law is only a step-by-step success. Civil society will continue to fight for human rights and environmental protection throughout the value chain: For improvements in the Supply Chain Act, for effective implementation and for a Europe-wide regulation that goes beyond the German law at decisive points.”
Event information:
Our CEO Dr. Gisela Burckhardt will take part in the online discussion "The way to sustainability: legal regulations for fair supply chains" from the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum on Wednesday, 30.06.2021 from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. More information will follow shortly.