The European Parliament will cast its final vote on 24 April for an EU law on due diligence. The law will make large companies accountable for workers’ and human rights abuses and environmental damages throughout their value chains across the globe.

IndustriAll Europe urges all MEPs to stand by workers and vote “YES”.

This EU law is a unique chance to deliver concrete changes to the way multinational companies are managed.

Workers and their trade unions, alongside NGOs, civil society organisations, and even multiple CEOs, have been relentlessly calling for a clear EU legal framework to put an end to companies making profits on the back of workers, local communities, and the environment.

Supporting statements from businesses are blossoming and include a joint European statement by 90+ large companies, SMEs and networks; a Dutch initiative gathering 83 companies and associations, and an initiative of ca. 40 Italian businesses).

Companies broadly support the fact that “the CSDDD is substantially aligned with the international standards for Responsible Business Conduct. This makes it credible and its implementation manageable”.

From industrial workers in the Global South to over half a million people who signed a petition back in 2021, people across the world are urging the EU to hold business accountable. The support for the EU Due Diligence Directive is overwhelming and EU policymakers must hear it.

Judith Kirton-Darling, industriAll Europe General Secretary says:

“The EU Parliament’s vote is scheduled at the most symbolic time possible. On 24 April 2013, at 9am local time, on the outskirts of Dhaka (Bangladesh), the Rana Plaza building collapsed, killing 1,134 people and leaving an additional 2,000 people injured, mostly garment workers. Flabbergasted and still under shock, the whole labour movement committed to fight tooth and claw against companies which put profits before people and the planet, so that it never, EVER, happens again.

“But it did. Violations of fundamental workers’ rights remain a daily reality - be it in textile factories, mining operations, steel production facilities or other manufacturing plants within and outside Europe. Workers and their trade unions keep on fighting against trade union busting, abusive working conditions, violation of safety standards and breach of collective agreements.

“Eleven years later, on 21 April 2024, at noon, in Strasbourg (France), we expect the 705 Members of the European Parliament to speak with one voice and vote “YES” for genuinely responsible companies”.