An agreement was reached on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence directive, after last night negotiations between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. 

The Left in the European Parliament has been fighting for the last four years for stronger rules against companies that violate human rights and destroy the planet.

According to the agreed legislation, all major companies operating in the EU will be required to prevent, stop and remedy violations committed by their subcontractors and suppliers. This includes undignified working conditions and pollution. 

Textile brands will no longer be able to have their clothes sewn by modern-day slaves with impunity. Oil and mining companies will no longer be able to destroy the climate and the environment without responsibility.

Companies that profit from such exploitation of people and nature will be liable to fines of up to 5% of their worldwide turnover. Victims will also benefit from strong access to justice measures.

The Left sought more ambitious measures but faced strong resistance in the talks with the group’s Co-President and lead MEP on the issue, Manon Aubry saying efforts to further “protect nature, the climate and victims’ rights suffered under pressure from lobbies”.

Co-President of the Left Manon Aubry (La France Insoumise, France)

“After a long night of negotiations, we’ve reached an agreement on the due diligence of multinationals. After 4 years of fighting, we’ve taken a decisive step against the impunity of companies that destroy human rights and the planet.

I came out of this battle angry at Macron and Le Maire, aka the spokespeople for criminal banks. But I’m also coming out of it proud to have won a law that is far more ambitious than the French and German laws to protect workers and nature.”