The German government has set a 2020 target for at least 50% of German companies with more than 500 employees to  have  introduced effective human rights protections.  The current coalition Government has agreed to pass laws and push for “EU-wide regulation” if companies’ voluntary implementation proves to be insufficient.  

Respect for Human Rights: A Snapshot of the Largest German Companies assesses  publicly available  information fo r 20 German companie s based on  core indicators from  the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark  (CHRB)  methodology, applicable across  all  sectors. It covers three  areas: Governance and policy commitments; embedding respect and human rights due diligence; and remedies and grievances mechanisms.

The study finds that 90%  (18/20) of companies assessed failed  to  fully  disclose  how they manage their human right s risks sufficiently (due diligence).  Just two companies, Daimler and Siemens,  received points on all four indicators looking at human  rights  due diligence processes.   

Almost  half (8/20) the  companies scored below 40%  of the available 24 points.  Companies with low scores overall included household names Deutsche Post DHLRWE, and Deutsche Bank. Volkswagen scored 10 out of the available 24 points. Siemens was the highest scoring company with 60% (14.5) of the available 24 points. 

This suggests the wider group of companies being assessed by the German government may fail its test.  This could open the door to human rights due diligence legislation.  

Respect for Human Rights: A Snapshot of the Largest German Companies DOWNLOAD

post

page

attachment

revision

nav_menu_item

custom_css

customize_changeset

oembed_cache

user_request

wp_block

wp_template

wp_template_part

wp_global_styles

wp_navigation

wp_font_family

wp_font_face

acf-field-group

acf-field

ai1ec_event

A United Faith Against Modern Slavery
Publications

Modern slavery in all of its guises – such as human trafficking, forced labour, sexual exploitation and organ trafficking – is endemic in many countries. It often preys on society’s most vulnerable people, stripping them of their rights to fre...Read More

TAGS: Global
From the Tiger to the Crocodile: Abuse of Migrant Workers in Thailand
Publications

The thousands of migrant workers from Burma, Cambodia, and Laos who cross the border into Thailand each year trade near-certain poverty at home for the possibility of relative prosperity abroad. While most of these bids for a better life do not end ...Read More

2020 ICT Benchmark Findings Report
COVID-19 resourcesPublications

The global electronics sector is comprised of powerful corporations—the 49 largest information communications and technology (ICT) companies have a combined market capitalization of US $5 trillion and combined annual profits of almost US$1 trillio...Read More

Forced to beg Child trafficking from Guinea-Bissau to Senegal
GuidancePublications

Taking children from Guinea-Bissau to Senegal and forcing them to beg on the streets has become the most visible form of human trafficking in both countries. Many Quranic teachers and intermediaries’ prey on vulnerable families in Guinea-Bissau. O...Read More

TAGS: Africa