Vienna discussed: Danger for human rights in the new supply chain law!

Vienna discussed: Danger for human rights in the new supply chain law!

Wien, Österreich - On April 8, 2025, a lively discussion about the threat of the Lief chain law by the EU Commission took place in Vienna. In the midst of growing concern about the planned changes to the law, which are to be integrated into the “omnibus” draft, numerous representatives from various organizations were expressed. ots.at reports, among other things, the deletion of compensation for victims and surviving people is provided. This causes great resentment, because this will massively weaken the legal protection for those affected.

A central concern of the critics is the planned “de -bureaucratization” of the duties of care for companies. The exact effects of this measure have so far been unclear and lead to further concerns about possible consequences for the rights of employees: inside and consumer: inside. In addition, the effectiveness check of established measures should take place every five years and no longer annually, which makes control of implementation more difficult. The inclusion of relevant stakeholders in the process is also severely restricted, which is viewed as an attack on the democratic foundations.

The voices from the discussion

Valentin Wedl from AK Vienna expressed that the deregulation in business brings serious dangers to the Green Deal. He was supported by Gonzalo Durán, a professor from Chile, who underlined the importance of the supply chain law for protection against exploitation. Durán also referred to a study that documents the positive economic effects of an EU supply chain law.

Virginie Rouas from the ECCJ found that corporate songbies see the strengthening of employee rights as a threat. This view is criticized by the ÖGB economist Miriam Fuhrmann, who calls for a factual discussion about reducing bureaucracy, but without undermining democratic processes. Anna Leitner von Global 2000 also spoke out against the change of course of the EU Commission to less strict sustainability laws.

The background of the initiative

viewed in a broader perspective, the supply chain law is part of a more comprehensive motivation in Europe to guarantee human -ranging working conditions. 1.4 billion people are currently working under poor conditions worldwide, and 28 million are victims of forced labor and slavery, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO). This alarming situation is further exacerbated by the covid pandemic, which makes the location of working children more threatening, for example.

In view of the EU's responsibility as the largest internal market with 15% of global GDP, numerous human rights activists and environmental associations call for a solid regulation of companies in order to effectively address human rights and environmental risks. According to csr-in-deutschland.de have already decided to National National Development Law. illustrates that there is an urgent need for action in this area.