GIN member, MEP Helmut Sholz (The Left) addresses the European Parliament

– Here some excerpts of the speech –
(adapted)

What do a car, a t-shirt, a computer, and a banana have in common?
Well, all of them are likely to show traces of forced labour. Human suffering is hidden in the opacity of the global supply chains.
Worldwide, 25 million people are forced to produce goods and products and many of them are then sold in Europe.
How long are we going to look the other way? The products coming out of slavery have no place in the European markets. European companies should not benefit from human rights violations!

Companies have not voluntarily taken the necessary measures [to address the matter] and for a long time the commission has failed to act too. We need to take measures that really make a difference. We need these three key instruments: first of all, a strong import ban; secondly, a binding and implementable legislation on due diligence of companies and; a strong and binding UN treaty on business and human rights.

Watch the video (original in German)