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It’s about this
No violations of human rights or environmental standards: Swiss companies must adhere to international standards when doing business abroad and at home. Therefore, the corporate responsibility initiative wants all large companies, as well as small and medium-sized companies in risky industries, such as commodity trading, to perform so-called due diligence checks. This means that they must examine their supply chains and take steps to prevent violations of the rules. If a foreign subsidiary or supplier that a Swiss company controls economically does not comply, the parent company in Switzerland should be able to be sued for it. (Read also: This is how the group initiative will be implemented)
That’s what the proponents say
Behind the initiative there is a committee made up of non-governmental organizations that are mainly dedicated to development aid and environmental protection. There are also organizations with a church background. In parliament, the initiative was supported mainly by the SP and the Greens. Meanwhile, however, there is also a civil committee and the GLP, BDP and EPP parties have approved the yes motto. The initiators call their initiative a “proportionate solution”: the vast majority of Swiss companies, those that do business cleanly, have nothing to fear. But they want the black sheep to be liable in Switzerland for the damage it causes abroad.
That’s what the opponents say
The Federal Council and Parliament reject the initiative. An assumption hurts the location of the business. The companies could leave Switzerland. Opponents are upset about the new liability rules. However, they also recognize the principle that Swiss companies must also comply with international standards abroad. Parliament approved a counterproposal to the initiative. It is not based on the liability law, but on greater transparency in large companies. They should state in reports how they ensure that their affiliates behave properly. In two areas (child labor and conflict minerals), the counterproposal also calls for comprehensive due diligence. (Read about this: The professor dissects the most important argument of the opponents of the initiative)
