Here we go again for a ride. Ten years after the launch of the first initiative for responsible multinationals, a multi-party coalition launched a second initiative “for responsible multinationals” this Tuesday in Berne. In French-speaking Switzerland, we find the former Vaud State Councilor Claude Ruey (PLR), the former Neuchâtel State Councilor, Raphaël Comte (PLR), and Dominique de Buman, former president of the National Council (Centre), already well involved in the first draft.
In a press release published this Tuesday, the initiative committee notes that Switzerland is still too lax: “Multinational companies whose headquarters are in Switzerland regularly violate human rights and fundamental environmental standards.” He highlights some unfortunate examples: “A Glencore mine pollutes an entire region in Peru, gold refineries such as MKS Pamp import problematic gold into Switzerland, the Geneva multinational IXM, active in metals trading, leaves around 300,000 tonnes of highly toxic waste in Namibia, where certain chocolate multinationals still profit from child labor.
In November 2020, the first initiative for responsible multinationals was accepted by the Swiss people by 50.7%, but refused by a majority of cantons: 12 5/2 against 8 1/2. The initiative committee was then co-chaired by former Attorney General Dick Marty (PLR), who has since died.
An indirect counter-proposal to the initiative for responsible multinationals then came into force in Switzerland on January 1, 2022. This text, defended by the Federal Council, obliges multinationals to publish an annual report on their policy in the field of human rights. of man and the environment, particularly in the area of certain “conflict” minerals and child labor. But there is nothing particularly restrictive about it.
Like the first, the new initiative “wants to oblige Swiss multinationals to respect human rights and environmental standards in their commercial activities and to reduce their emissions harmful to the climate. (…) The obligations provided for by the initiative are closely based on international standards in the field and new rules adopted in the EU. They apply to multinationals from 1000 employees and 450 million francs in turnover.
For multinationals to respect these rules, the initiative provides that “people affected by human rights violations can seek reparations from a Swiss court”.
