Four months before the general election, the grand coalition finally settled its dispute over the planned law on compliance with human rights in international supply chains.
The law can now finally be passed in the Bundestag, as the German press agency learned on Thursday.
In mid-May, it was removed from the Bundestag's agenda at the last minute because members of the Union saw a need for discussion on corporate liability. The law aims to curb child labor, exploitation and the destruction of nature in the global production of goods. Companies should ensure that there are no violations of human rights in their entire supply chain, including internationally. If a company becomes aware of a grievance, it should be obliged to take remedial action.
Germany is getting the strongest supply chain law in Europe, said SPD parliamentary deputy Katja Mast of the German press agency.
Union parliamentary group Vice Hermann Gröhe stated that a good result had been achieved in the negotiations, for which he expected the approval of both coalition groups.
"Then the way is free for a resolution in the German Bundestag in June."
According to the CSU social politician Stephan Stracke, the parliamentary groups agreed to unequivocally exclude additional civil liability risks for companies by law.
The change makes it clear once again that the duties of care must be based on the standard of what is concretely possible and appropriate, explained Gröhe.
Mast emphasized: “There are no limits to corporate responsibility.
The worldwide protection of and respect for human rights is a mandatory part of this responsibility. ”In future, the duty of care will no longer end at the factory gate.
In June, before the summer break, the Bundestag meets twice for regular session weeks in which the law could be passed.
This is followed by the hot phase of the federal election campaign and the end of the legislative period.