A whopping 50.7 percent of Swiss voters said yes to the Responsible Business Initiative, which was put to the vote on November 29, 2020. For terre des hommes schweiz, this is a historic success for a cause of international solidarity. Because of the higher proportion of “no” votes of the cantons (majority of the cantons), however, the indirect counter-proposal comes into play, unless a referendum is held against it.
Hardly any other popular initiative has gone as long without a vote as the one on corporate responsibility. The implementation of its content was fought over in Bern for years. The formulation and discussion of counter-proposals kept the administration and parliament busy. The haggling over wafer-thin majorities and the endless rejections from one chamber of parliament to the other turned into a veritable thriller until it finally became clear in summer 2020: the Responsible Business Initiative, which terre des hommes schweiz is campaigning for, will be put to the vote on November 29.
Together with 450 local committees and tens of thousands of volunteers, 130 non-governmental organizations and numerous personalities from politics, business and the church, terre des hommes schweiz has campaigned for a referendum that has changed everyone’s consciousness. Today, no one disputes that Swiss companies must also adhere to human rights and environmental standards – everywhere in the world.
Many thanks to all those who voted Yes to more corporate responsibility for a Switzerland based on solidarity! Below you can read the media release from the campaign secretariat of the Responsible Business Initiative, which did a great job throughout the entire voting campaign.
Media release – 29.11.2020
The initiators of the Responsible Business Initiative are delighted with the popular majority, but disappointed that it was not enough for the majority of the cantons. Today, the corporate lobby has prevailed, unfortunately also thanks to false claims.
The large corporations have succeeded in portraying SMEs as being particularly affected, even though they would be exempt. Against her better judgment, the Federal Councillor has spread the misleading claim that the burden of proof has been reversed. And committees from the PR agency FurrerHugi not only advertised with a fake fact check on the Tamedia portals, but also stoked fears of waves of US-style lawsuits – even though the legal hurdles in Switzerland are very high. All in all, the confusion tactics of the corporate lobby have unfortunately worked.
Thanks to tens of thousands of volunteers
The initiators would like to thank the tens of thousands of volunteers who fought for the cause and were able to convince a majority of the electorate. There has probably not been a vote in recent times for which so many people have campaigned.
Despite today’s disappointment, the corporate lobby cannot turn back the clock. Today, no one disputes that companies must also comply with human rights and environmental standards abroad. In recent months, all major corporations have claimed that they respect human rights and environmental standards. The corporations will have to be measured against this claim.
The demands of the Responsible Business Initiative will be implemented
For the majority of Swiss people, it is clear that profit must not be made at the expense of people or the environment. That is why the majority of the population voted yes. This is also in line with an international trend: more and more countries are enacting laws on corporate responsibility. The initiators are convinced that the demands of the Responsible Business Initiative will also prevail here in a few years’ time. All organizations will continue to do their utmost to achieve this.
Quotes:
Dick Marty, Co-President of the initiative committee and former member of the FDP Council of States for the Canton of Ticino:
“Today I would like to thank the volunteers in particular. The campaign has shown that tens of thousands of citizens can achieve a lot together – even if we have to acknowledge today that the corporate lobby has won with its false reports. I am very encouraged by the commitment of the citizens and the popular majority. I will continue to campaign for more justice. “
Monika Roth, Co-President of the initiative committee, professor of law and compliance specialist:
“I am convinced that voluntary commitments without effective monitoring and liability are not enough to ensure that all companies respect international environmental standards and human rights. The indirect counter-proposal will therefore not bring any improvements. It is clear that the strong coalition for greater corporate responsibility will continue to work to ensure that all companies adhere to a minimum level of responsibility in future.”
