German supply chain law helped improve labour conditions abroad, German Development Minister says
"German law helped labor conditions abroad, minister says"
Germany introduced the supply chain act last year to make companies respect human rights in their global supply chains. During a visit to Pakistan, Development Minister Svenja Schulze said the law was working. [...]
What did Svenja Schulze say?
During a visit to Pakistan, Schulze told DW that the legislation was helping to ensure fair competition and improve working conditions.
"I don't think it's over-demanding," Schulze said. "I have been able to speak to many of the workers here [in Pakistan] ... women say that they can finally live on the wages they are now getting, that their children can go to school, and not for an exorbitant amount more ... that working conditions are improving."
Schulze said overall, German companies were "very happy that there is now finally fair competition."
"They [firms] pay attention to working conditions, they make sure that the environment is not destroyed ... the supply chain law is now helping."
The minister called on consumers in the West to "look behind what is hidden in the products we buy," adding that workers in developing nations "have a right to work under humane conditions."
Asked whether the legislation was too overwhelming for German enterprises, Schulze dismissed the idea it could be abolished, saying it would in future be "linked to European law." [...]