Platform Workers and Due Diligence: the Directives must be adopted

The blockage of the Platform Work Directive (PWD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) by member states in the Council needs to end, as they represent two fundamental pillars of human rights and social protection.

In the case of the PWD, the block comes even after a compromise was reached between Council and Parliament. The directive concerns the fate of millions of workers who are exposed to discrimination within the EU without adequate labour rights. 'I call on the Member States to adopt the directive before the EU elections, so that millions of deprived workers are finally protected in accordance with our EU values' urged Lucie Studničná, President of the EESC Workers' Group.

In the case of the CSDDD, it is in the interests of millions of workers and children exploited in global supply chains. It is unacceptable from the German Finance Minister to veto the compromise finally reached after years of negotiations and to take other governments along with this policy of obstruction. Thomas Wagnsonner, Rapporteur of several opinions to the topic of due diligence explained that 'by adopting the controversial directive, the EU would stand by its values and take its due responsibility for respecting human rights and labour rights'.

In recent years, numerous interest groups, such as trade unions and NGOs, have been involved in the drafting of the due diligence directive with great commitment, as it would be fundamental to manage human right risks by large companies in global value chains. The parliament, the commission and the council have finally found a compromise after strong and long negotiations and now the abstention of some governments threaten not only the chance of a decent life for millions of people but also the democratic functioning of the EU.