humanitarian associations welcome an important step forward but regret the few companies involved

The European Parliament imposes a “duty of vigilance” on companies in terms of respect for the environment and human rights. On franceinfo Wednesday April 24, Clara Alibert, advocacy officer at CCFD-Terre Solidaire, greets “an important step forward on this historic day”since eleven years ago today, more than 1,120 people died in the collapse of Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, a building which housed tailoring workshops for several international clothing brands.

For Clara Alibert, this “duty of vigilance” allows “denounce the madness of multinationals who do not respect human rights on their production chains”. Initially, the measure concerned groups of more than 500 employees with a net global turnover of at least 150 million euros, and companies with 250 employees or more if their sales exceed 40 million euros and come half from sectors at risk, i.e. 16,000 companies concerned.

But “after economic lobbying from several sectors, and governments, including France”which CCFD-Terre Solidaire denounces, the thresholds were modified in the final text, and the directives now concern only 5,400 European companies, or 0.06% of companies on the European market, “a drop of water in an ocean of impunity”, deplores the advocacy officer. Clara Alibert also fears that this measure will be difficult to control.