Strong support for responsible business initiative
The initiative aims to make sure that companies headquartered in Switzerland are not using such practices as child labour.
Keystone
Public support for Switzerland’s so-called responsible business initiative now stands at 78%, 11 percentage points up on February 2019, according to an opinion poll.
Some 43% were “in favour” and 35% “quite in favour”, while 5% were against and 9% undecided, according to the poll by the Link institute. It was carried out from May 5-12 among 1,038 people aged 18-79.
The initiativeExternal link, which is supported by numerous organisations, aims to make companies headquartered in Switzerland respect human rights and the environment throughout the world. It calls for mandatory human rights due diligence and for companies to be held liable for damage caused by companies under their control.
The Senate and the House of Representatives have both rejected the initiative, considering it too “excessive”, but they have not yet managed to agree on a counter-proposal. The Senate is due to examine the issue again at the beginning of its next session. If parliament does come up with a counter-proposal, the initiative is likely to be withdrawn.
More
More
Responsible business initiative heads closer to a national vote
This content was published on
Parliament disagrees over a proposal to hold Swiss-based multinationals accountable for human rights and environmental violations abroad.
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
This content was published on
Former Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei has filed a criminal complaint against the Geneva prosecutor for slander.
Swiss energy minister suggests way forward for new nuclear power plants
This content was published on
Swiss Energy Minister Albert Rösti says existing nuclear power plant sites in Switzerland could be used for new nuclear power plants.
This content was published on
Swiss wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner won the 5,000 metres to bring home Switzerland’s first gold medal at the Paralympics in Paris.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Responsible Business debate could cause ripple effects globally
This content was published on
Swiss parliament decides this week on an initiative to hold companies accountable for their impacts on human rights and the environment.
Switzerland’s golden opportunity for responsible business
This content was published on
Mark Pieth of the University of Basel criticises the Swiss government for lacking the political will to build a more responsible gold supply chain.
UN experts raise concerns over Swiss ‘responsible business’ initiative
This content was published on
United Nations human rights experts have raised concerns over the Swiss government’s position on the “responsible business” initiative.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.