The Responsible Business Initiative will finally be put to the vote on November 29. terre des hommes schweiz has campaigned for it from the outset. The initiative demands something that goes without saying: Swiss corporations that disregard human rights and destroy the environment should be held accountable. The popular initiative enjoys broad support among the population and the business community and is also supported by representatives of all political parties. However, it has to assert itself against a financially powerful opponent who is resorting to sometimes dubious means for its anti-campaign.
Counter-proposal no alternative
If the initiative is rejected, the counter-proposal would come into force. The indirect counter-proposal offers no sensible alternative. Whether child labor on cocoa plantations or pesticide poisoning among Indian farmers: responsible corporations that do nothing about it would still have no consequences to fear, as the alibi counter-proposal does not provide for any liability. In other countries, it has long been the norm for corporations to be held liable in court for human rights violations abroad. In Canada, England and France, for example, lawsuits are already being brought against corporations. Expert reports have shown that Switzerland needs clear laws to ensure that it does not fall behind internationally.
Vote yes and spread the word
Now it is crucial that we actually go out and vote, because every vote counts! According to studies, many Swiss voters are occasional voters. They are therefore drawn to the ballot box when they consider the issue to be important. This time it is important and we can send out a strong signal. By accepting the Responsible Business Initiative, a real improvement can be achieved for those people who are currently at the mercy of irresponsible multinationals.
Sylvia Valentin, Development Policy Campaigns
Few initiatives have gone as long without a vote as the corporate responsibility initiative. 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 to the other turned into a veritable thriller. Since this summer, it has finally been clear: on November 29, we will vote on the referendum.
A political issue that has been debated for so long is obviously important and strikes a chord with the times. It is actually a matter of course: Swiss companies that do international business must take responsibility for their actions. Toxic waste, child labor, poisoned rivers and heavy metals in the soil must no longer exist – anywhere in the world. Swiss corporations and their subsidiaries that are responsible for this should be held liable.
terre des hommes schweiz has been supporting the Responsible Business Initiative for a long time. Many people in Switzerland have joined together in numerous local committees. Together with them, as well as with numerous organizations and personalities well into the bourgeois camp, we are campaigning for the initiative to be adopted. If we all vote yes to corporate responsibility, we can achieve a real improvement for the people who are otherwise defencelessly at the mercy of irresponsible multinationals.
So don’t miss out on this historic vote! Convince your family, friends and acquaintances to put their Yes vote in the ballot box.
Thank you very much for your support!
Franziska Lauper, Managing Director , terre des hommes schweiz
What you can do
Vote yes to the popular initiative on November 29. Ask family, friends and acquaintances to do the same. Use free campaign material such as flags, stickers, bicycle triangles and postcards, which you can order here.
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