Critical takeaways from the forced labour conversation at the european parliament
On 28th March 2023, CEO and Founder of Fashion Innovation Center, Fredrik Timour, attended the 'Care About What You Wear, Consume or Buy' event at the European Parliament in Brussels.
The event, which was moderated by Lisa Lang, Director Policy & EU Affairs Orchestrator EIT Climate-KIC, critically examined the current forced labour legislation in the European Union (EU), and here are some critical takeaways that could, in the long run, improve the legislation:
We need to stop with vague and unclear definitions. This is a significant problem with the current legislation. For many businesses, the meaning of what exactly forced labour could be more precise, which makes it difficult for them to understand what actions they need to take to comply with the legislation; it also makes it difficult for the government to identify and prosecute cases of forced labour.
Some of the speakers at the event shared that the solution could be that the EU should work to create clear and specific definitions of forced labour that can be easily understood and applied.
When it comes to enforcement, the current legislation needs enforcement mechanisms because, currently, even if forced labour is identified, the chance is more significant that there will be little recourse or punishment for those who engage in it.
What could the solution be? Well, the EU could consider investing in more resources for enforcement, including specialized investigative units and increased penalties for businesses engaging in forced labour.
Another topic that was touched on was the problem of limited supply chain visibility. It is no secret that many businesses operate complex global supply chains that most likely involve multiple tiers of suppliers and subcontractors. Therefore this makes it more difficult to trace the origin of products and identify potential cases of forced labour.
The solution to this complex problem is that the EU might need to consider making it a prerequisite for businesses trading in the EU to provide more detailed information on their supply chains. One way companies can do this is by using supply chain mapping technology.
Another key takeaway that was highlighted during the debate was how the current legislation only applies to specific industries and types of forced labour; therefore, the EU must expand the scope of the legislation to include other industries and forms of forced labour, such as forced labour in agriculture or manufacturing.
Lastly, something that seems obvious but isn't happening is strengthening international cooperation, which needs improvement. Although forced labour is a global issue, the problem is that many cases usually involve multiple countries and jurisdictions. Therefore the idea o working together remains a good on-paper idea that could be more efficiently executed.
The answer lies in the EU making it more accessible, meaning less red tape for the activists, to work with other countries to share information and resources or by supporting global initiatives to address forced labour.
To conclude, yes, it is commendable that the EU has taken steps to address the issue of forced labour, but it is even more important to also acknowledge the problems with the current legislation. Once they are seriously addressed then the EU's forced labour legislation will not only move forward but it will also be headed in the right direction.
So as the event came to a close, the underlying message that hung in the air was that policymakers and businesses need work together to identify and address various issues that are preventing change from taking place more seamlessly. The Fashion Innovation Center always champions the approach of collaboration because it has the power to create a more effective and comprehensive change that addresses the problem and powers how we do business in the EU.
