As part of the German G7 Presidency, Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) spoke out in favor of more international standards for human rights in supply chains. Before a digital G7 conference this Friday, Heil told the German Press Agency in Berlin that they wanted to make progress on binding standards for sustainable management. These must be accepted by as many states as possible and by decision-makers in business, trade unions and civil society. Heil also said that more commitment was needed internationally. Fair supply chains are a “significant concern” of the government.
In June, a few months before the federal elections, the Bundestag passed a German supply chain law. From now on, large companies in Germany should no longer tolerate child or forced labor in their international supply chains. The regulations are intended to help curb poor working conditions worldwide. For example, it is about raw material mines in Africa, textile factories in Asia or cotton plantations in India. The law will apply from 2023.
At the G7 conference with Heil, representatives of states, international organizations, trade unions and employers, among others, will be discussing. At the beginning of January, Germany took over the presidency of the “Group of Seven” for one year. In July, a G7 summit of the most important industrial nations will take place at the Bavarian Schloss Elmau. (dpa)
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