German companies to guarantee the rights of workers in foreign factories, are calling for NGOs. The Federal government is going to disagree.

hands of a ten-year-old who works in a brick factory in Bangladesh photo: rtr/Andrew Biraj

BERLIN taz | The globalisation of German companies is also so convenient because you can outsource part of their production from the area of effect of local laws. Child labour, poverty wages, dilapidated factories, the environmental mess in China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cambodia, Uganda or Peru, you can get away with it rather than in Europe. The "Initiative for supply chains act," wants to change that now: it demands that the Federal government, the human rights of foreign suppliers to protect the factories of local firms.

on the Initiative of the German Confederation of trade unions, developing, cooperate, among others, and environmental organizations such as Oxfam, Greenpeace, Germanwatch, the Church aid organizations Misereor and bread for the world, as well as people rechtsanwält*the inside of the ECCHR. You want to enforce the ecological, social and political rights for Workers and residents in the supplier industry.

The law would affect all large and small companies in Germany, the products in the overseas shopping, or ready-to-let, says Franziska Humbert of Oxfam. Similar legislation already exists in France and other countries. For example, could be set out in the German commercial code (HGB) all companies, people must analyze the legal risks in their supply chains.

in addition, the company to turn off these risks, by agreeing with the suppliers to pay better wages. You would have to take accountability. Finally, they would be held, complaint mechanisms, so that foreign employees can voice their concerns in Germany.

sanctions in the case of advances, the Initiative also calls for. According to the ECCHR-lawyer, Christian Schliemann, the fines can impose German authorities. But above all, they want to allow civil suits of victims in local courts and make it easier. Companies, their owners and investors would then have to be expected, where appropriate, with the claims for damages.

A draft for such a law has the Federal development Minister Gerd Müller (CSU) already develop. Now, a common Text with the Minister of labour, Hubertus Heil (SPD) is in preparation. While some companies, such as Nestlé, Kik, Ritter Sport, Tchibo, and Hapag-support Lloyd, the project is Federal Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) skeptical. Even the powerful Federation of German industry (BDI) rejects the law.

Previously want to check the government but still, if the companies fail to meet their obligations even without a law. By survey of 7,100 largest German company is currently controlled, whether they comply with the requirements of the National action plan for human rights of the government, to establish uniform and verifiable Standards. The first round of the survey indicated that the works. Probably a second survey now follows.

Until the summer should be clear whether a supply chain law is necessary. Questionable whether the Federal government has before the end of the legislature, nor the power, to bring such a controversial project on the way.