Child labor and slavery: countless companies benefit from these terrible working conditions. But the EU wants to put an end to these conditions. For years there was political discussion about what such an arrangement should look like. They were able to reach an agreement in Strasbourg on Thursday.
Ten years ago, 1,135 people were killed and 2,438 injured when the Rana Plaza textile factory collapsed in Bangladesh. A discussion arose: are clients from the West responsible for working conditions abroad?
For years, politicians in the European Union have been negotiating a new regulation that will force companies to ensure that human and environmental rights are respected during production. In concrete terms, this concerns child labor, slavery, environmental pollution, deforestation and damage to ecosystems.
Sanctions for non-compliance
The new scheme applies to companies with a turnover of more than 150 million euros, but also to smaller companies in sectors such as textile production, agriculture, mineral resources and construction. The sanctions include name mention in reports and a fine – from five percent of net turnover.
MPs also negotiated that companies would be liable for violations of their duty of care and that victims would be entitled to compensation. To motivate companies, the regulation ensures that compliance with the new rules can be used as part of the award criteria for public contracts and concessions.
In addition, companies must present and implement a plan to combat climate change. Each country designates a supervisory authority that will monitor compliance with due diligence requirements in the future. One formal act is still missing for implementation: the agreement of all EU governments.
MEP Lara Wolters (S&D, NL) led the negotiations: “I am very grateful to everyone who joined me in the fight for this law. It ensures that honest companies do not have to compete with cowboy companies.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
