Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, more than eight years ago more than 1 100 workers, mainly textile workers, lost their lives. Eight years since the collapse of Rana Plaza. Eight years, and not enough has changed. It is true that the Sustainability Pact, in cooperation with the ILO and the Bangladeshi government, has been a step towards introducing a degree of accountability into our value chains. It is true that early due diligence frameworks exist, but volunteer-based approaches show their shortcomings. Commissioner, the European Union remains primarily a normative power. It must shape globalization with high environmental and social standards. Now must see the right exchange for the benefit of all. Now ambitious legislation for supply chain due diligence is needed. Now there must be a legally binding obligation for European companies and companies operating in the Single Market. Legislation that will ensure access to justice and redress for all victims of violations of their rights. Decent working conditions, labour law, trade union rights, environmental standards, virtuous production methods: This is how we will shape globalisation and fundamentally change value chains to make them sustainable and responsible.