Majority is in favor of EU supply chain law – Südwind and NeSoVe criticize Austria’s abstention: “ÖVP is pursuing clientel politics at the expense of children’s and human rights”
Vienna/Brussels (OTS) – After several attempts, the majority of EU member states today spoke out in favor of an EU supply chain law. The Belgian Presidency last week presented a text with massive concessions in order to achieve a majority. “Despite the painful loopholes, the EU supply chain law is an important step! Through the directive, Austria will for the first time have legislation that protects human rights and the environment along global value chains“, says Bettina Rosenberger, coordinator of the “Human rights need laws!” campaign.
Austria, together with other EU member states, continued to refuse to agree to the EU supply chain law despite massive concessions. “The ÖVP pursues patronage politics at the expense of children’s and human rights. “Many Austrian companies, especially SMEs, show day after day that sustainable business in harmony with human rights is possible,” said Rosenberger. “The blockers around Federal Minister Kocher and the business associations must finally behave constructively after the decision and enable a serious implementation of the law in Austria.”
The new compromise has drastically restricted the scope of application: after a transition phase lasting several years, the final directive will only apply to companies with 1,000 employees or more and an annual turnover of 450 million euros. There are no additional provisions for high-risk sectors. “The recent watering down to save the EU supply chain law hurts. Not only in terms of the limited effectiveness of the directive, but also because of the democratic political component that resonates here: EU member states were prepared, at the call of the industrial lobby, to question the democratic rules of the European Union“, says Stefan Grasgruber-Kerl, supply chain expert at Südwind. The compromise reached in the trilogue negotiations in December 2023 already contained numerous loopholes.
About “Human rights need laws!”:
The campaign “Human rights need laws!” is supported by a broad civil society alliance and coordinated by the Social Responsibility Network (NeSoVe). Together with over 100 NGOs and trade unions from across Europe, civil society organizations and unions are mobilizing for an EU supply chain law that effectively protects human and labor rights, the environment and the climate as part of the “Justice is Everyone’s Business” campaign protects.
Questions & Contact:
Bettina Rosenberger Campaign Coordinator “Human rights need laws!” +43 660 8835409 bettina.rosenberger@nesove.at c/o Social Responsibility Network
Vincent Sufian Communications Manager Südwind +43 650 96 77577 vincent.sufficient@suedwind.at
