Joint Council of Europe - OSCE conference “Strengthening the role of the private sector in combating human trafficking and labour exploitation in supply chains”
Collaborative efforts and private sector role in combating human trafficking and labour exploitation highlighted at conference and roundtable in Bulgaria
More than 50 public officials, business and civil society representatives gathered in Sofia to discuss collaborative efforts in addressing human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation. Hosted by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking...
Opening Remarks by:
Introduction to Human Rights Due Diligence in supply chains and the OSCE’s and Council of Europe’s approach to preventing and combating human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation
- Julia Schellhaas, Senior Adviser Supply Chains, OSCE Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings
- Petya Nestorova, Executive Secretary of GRETA, Council of Europe: Presentation of CM/Rec(2022)31 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation and other relevant Council of Europe work
Best practices of Human Rights Due Diligence in government policy frameworks and legislation: Lessons learned
Monitoring and enforcing Human Rights Due Diligence: Challenges in the access to remedy
- Olya Peneva, Bulgarian Foundation for Business and Human Rights
- Kamelia Dimitrova, Executive Director, Dignita Foundation
- Diana Radoslavova, Founder of the Centre for Legal Aid “Voice in Bulgaria”
Human Rights Due Diligence in the private sector and the impact of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
- Malte Drewes, Coordinator, German Helpdesk Business and Human Rights
- Angel Bangachev, Director, Leader of Legal Business Solutions, PwC Bulgaria
- Darinka Georgieva, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Bulgaria
- Gabriela Georgieva and Vessela Petrova, Senior ExpertS, Bulgarian SME Promotion Agency/ OECD National contact point for responsible business conduct in Bulgaria
Background
The international debate on business and human rights has undergone significant evolution since the adoption of the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) by the Human Rights Council in 2011. These principles define the responsibilities of both governments and enterprises in protecting, respecting, and remediating adverse human rights impacts. Today, the global community is advocating for applying a mix of voluntary and mandatory measures to tackle the issue.
To date, approximately 30 countries across the world have developed National Action Plans based on the UNGPs. Moreover, an increasing number of countries have enacted legislation concerning human rights due diligence (e.g., Germany, France, Norway), import restrictions (US, Canada), and non-financial reporting requirements (e.g., UK, Australia).
Trafficking in human beings (THB) is a multifaceted crime with serious consequences for victims and society at large. It is inherently financially motivated, with a global scope impacting every country and virtually every economic sector. Annually, trafficking in human beings yields profits of approximately US$ 150 billion from the exploitation of individuals.
States are responsible for ensuring that due diligence legislation is adopted and effectively applied in practice, as well as for providing guidance and tools to businesses on how to lower the risk of being involved, directly or indirectly, in THB. Businesses bear the responsibility to exercise due diligence and implement preventive measures and policies that assess and mitigate human rights risks in their operations and supply chains, including protection against THB and other exploitative practices. Additionally, there is growing pressure from business customers, consumers, the retail sector, and public procurement on organizations to carefully scrutinize their suppliers in all tiers of the supply chain.
The OSCE’s Office of the Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) have adopted a proactive approach in addressing human rights violations within supply chains, particularly focusing on preventing and combating human trafficking and labour exploitation. The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers recently adopted Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)21 to member States on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation, the explanatory memorandum of which details action to enable corporate responsibility and ensure that businesses undertake due diligence throughout their supply chains.
Given the complexity of the issue, a multi-layered approach involving both public and private entities is imperative. To facilitate dialogue on human rights due diligence and its implications for various stakeholders within a country, the OSCE and Council of Europe have organized a series of joint and individual events.
Reference texts and publications
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
Committee of Ministers Recommendations
Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation - Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)21 of the Committee of Ministers to member States (2022)
Human Rights and Business - Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)3 of the Committee of Ministers to member States (2016)
Other publications
Compendium of good practices in addressing trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation (2020)
Guidance Note on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation (2020)
Human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation - Thematic Chapter of the 7th General Report on GRETA’s Activities (2017)
Emerging good practices by state authorities, the business community and civil society on preventing human trafficking in the business practices and supply chains (2016)
Study on demand reduction measures to combat trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation through the engagement of the private sector (2016)
Thematic webpage
OSCE
- OSCE Supply chains project: Supply chains | OSCE
- E-learning on CTHB in supply chains: Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Labour Exploitation in OSCE Supply Chains | OSCE e-learning platform
- Procurement Guidance on CTHB in supply chains: Combating trafficking in human beings and labour exploitation in supply chains - Guidance for OSCE Procurement - Second updated edition | OSCE
- Brochure on the role of public procurement in CTHB in supply chains: The role of public procurement in preventing trafficking for labour exploitation in supply chains and advancing human rights | OSCE
- Model Guidelines: Model Guidelines on Government Measures to Prevent Trafficking for Labour Exploitation in Supply Chains | OSCE
- Compendium of Resources: Compendium of relevant reference materials and resources on ethical sourcing and prevention of trafficking in human beings for labour exploitation in supply chains: Second updated edition | OSCE
The event brought together representatives from relevant governmental bodies, agencies and specialised units dealing with combating human trafficking, as well as stakeholders from the private sector in Bulgaria, business associations, chambers of commerce, labour inspectors, procurement practitioners, trade unions, academia, civil society, international organisations, and experts on business and human rights.
The conference aimed to stimulate discussion between Bulgarian companies and stakeholders from government, civil society and the private sector, with a focus, on the one hand, on the responsibility of States to ensure that human rights due diligence legislation is adopted and effectively applied in practice, and, on the other hand, on the responsibility of businesses, which must implement preventing measures and policies that assess and mitigate human rights risks in their operations and supply chains, including protection against human trafficking and other exploitative practices.
28 May 2024 | 9h00 – 16h30
Sofia, Bulgaria, Conference room “Four seasons”, 2020 Event Space
Alongside the conference, a Business Roundtable was held on 29 May, in cooperation with the UN Global Compact Bulgaria Network and the German Helpdesk Business and Human Rights.
