Global unions urge strong corporate accountability in UN treaty talks

A decade in to negotiations, global unions welcome the Chair's proposal to redraft certain articles to regulate, in international human rights law, the activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises. The proposal demonstrates a sincere effort to develop compromise language that can advance the negotiations constructively.

"A binding UN treaty is essential to ensure that global business operates within a framework of justice and respect for human rights. As we have said so many times; voluntary commitments have failed to protect workers and communities. We need legally binding rules that hold corporations accountable across their global operations,"

says Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary.

Trade union priorities for the treaty include:

• Broad scope: inclusion of all internationally recognised human rights, including fundamental workers' rights.
• Comprehensive coverage: inclusion of all business enterprises, irrespective of size or sector.
• Extraterritorial regulation: access to justice for victims of transnational corporate human rights violations.
• Human rights due diligence: mandatory policies and procedures for businesses.
• Corporate accountability: clear obligations for corporations under human rights law.
• International enforcement: a robust global monitoring and enforcement mechanism.