Letters

Holding global companies to account

Child labour and modern slavery are rampant in global supply chains

Mon Oct 24 2022 - 00:07

Sir, – The alarming energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has presented the EU with a moral dilemma. Does it put the protection of people and the planet at the forefront as we grapple with a challenging global economic crisis? Or does it continue to encourage irresponsible investments in a scramble for new markets and turn a blind eye to corporate abuses and the climate crisis?

Many of the communities that our organisations work with are living next to great natural wealth – but they are suffering from exploitation.

Child labour and modern slavery are rampant in global supply chains. Mining activities are poisoning rivers. Huge swathes of rainforests are being cut down. Communities face violent forced evictions, land grabs, brutal physical attacks and often murder.

A total of 385 human rights defenders were killed in 2021: an average of over seven defenders every week.

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Women’s rights are denied including through land dispossession, exploitation, and sexual violence.

Most Irish people have become deeply uncomfortable with the fact that the production of so many everyday products we buy, including gadgets and garments, can contribute to violations of human rights.

The Irish public wants to see stricter laws to tackle unethical and unaccountable corporations.

A recent Ipsos/MRBI poll showed that 81 per cent of Irish people support stronger laws on corporate abuse.

Yet, at present, there is no legally binding business and human rights regulation to stop this exploitation.

In a globalised economy of transnational corporations and investments, we need a global response that will hold companies to account for their actions in all jurisdictions.

Today (October 24th), negotiations are taking place in Geneva to advance a binding UN treaty on business and human rights.

This new treaty could be a unique opportunity to put in place strong protections for communities threatened by corporations.

The reality is that the EU and Ireland have failed to support the treaty process so far.

We are calling on Ireland and the EU to meaningfully engage with the treaty negotiations and to champion human rights.

Indigenous people, environmental and human rights defenders, and communities at risk throughout the world are depending on it. – Yours, etc,

CAOIMHE de BARRA,

CEO,

Trócaire;

JIM CLARKEN,

CEO,

Oxfam Ireland;

OWEN REIDY,

General Secretary,

Irish Congress

of Trade Unions;

ANDREW ANDERSON,

Executive Director,

Front Line Defenders;

SORCHA TUNNEY,

Coordinator,

Irish Coalition for

Business and Human Rights;

LIAM HERRICK,

Executive Director,

Irish Council

for Civil Liberties;

ORLA O’CONNOR,

Director,

National Women’s

Council of Ireland;

ROSAMOND BENNETT,

CEO,

Christian Aid Ireland;

KAROL BALFE,

CEO,

Action Aid Ireland;

PETER GAYNOR,

Executive Director,

Fairtrade Ireland;

KILLIAN STOKES,

CEO,

Proudly Made in Africa;

CORMAC McALEER,

Chairperson,

Save Our Sperrins.