France introduced a ‘Duty of Vigilance’ law in 2017.
Kildare headquartered charity, Trócaire, says new corporate accountability legislation is required to help put an end to exploitative and damaging corporate practices such as forced labour.
The organisation, based in Maynooth, says "Irish companies have a responsibility to respect human rights, workers’ rights and environmental standards wherever they operate. At present it is voluntary for companies to respect human rights standards. Corporations are not being held legally responsible for their actions and continue to operate with little accountability. Meanwhile affected communities struggle for justice and compensation."
France introduced a Duty of Vigilance law in 2017, while Germany and Norway have introduced similar legislation earlier this year.
Trócaire says any such legislation introduced in Ireland should also take account of " violence against women, deforestation, union busting, forced evictions and land grabbing, harassment, threats, attacks and killings of human rights defenders, unchecked carbon emissions and biodiversity destruction."
Gary Walsh is the charity's Policy & Advocacy Advisor.
He joined Ciara Noble on Wednesday's edition of Kildare Today.
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