Group initiative: Migros against Novartis

dare to take A vote, the fight against images of exploited mine workers, or cocoa farmers? This question is on the Swiss economy for several years. Because one thing is clear: it is actually a referendum on the group responsibility initiative, it could be tricky. Surveys have shown that in the population of large sympathies for the Initiative.

The Initiative requires that corporations domiciled in Switzerland must also ensure that in the case of transactions abroad, that they respect the human rights and environmental standards. You or your subsidiaries not to, do abroad you should be able to in Switzerland liable. Behind the Initiative, the Swiss are charities and other NGOs.

warning-extortion

On Tuesday, the Council of States advises after the Council is now about whether he wants to have a counter-proposal to the Initiative. The national Council, said last year " Yes " to a counter-proposal. The main objectives of the Initiative in principle, restricts, among other things, the number of companies affected and the nature of the damage, for which you can be held liable. The Council of States is joining the counter-proposal of the national Council, pull back on the initiators of your Initiative. He weakens the counter-proposal, or rejects it altogether, it comes to the popular vote. Survey

In Switzerland, responsible for human rights and environmental violations abroad: they Are for the group Initiative?

Yes.
More for a weaker counter-proposal.
no.
Vote

Yes.

69.4%

a weaker counter-proposal.

11.8%

no.

18.9%

297 votes

Yes.

69.4%

a weaker counter-proposal.

11.8%

no.

18.9%

297 votes

, Several large business associations want to know by now, nothing is more of a counter-proposal. The umbrella organisation Economiesuisse and Swissholdings, the Association of large companies, are already for a long time. Meanwhile, scienceindustries, the Association of chemical and pharmaceutical companies, this connected Position, among other things.

The Association with prominent members such as Novartis, Roche or Nestlé warns of the debate in the Council of States prior to an Initiative and counter-proposal. In the case of a ' Yes ' to the Initiative extortionate actions of self-declared humanitarian organizations "against Swiss companies". The counter-proposal, in turn, the "essential concerns of the economy, not take". Two years ago, the science industries had to lobby for a counter-proposal. President of the Association, the head of Novartis Switzerland, Matthias Leuenberger.

"a vote, the fight will be difficult."Patrick Marty, Director of IG retail trade

The ' no ' to the counter-proposal is in the economy, however, is by no means consensus. Most prominent advocate of the IG detail trade of Migros, Coop, Denner and Manor, together. "The IG retail wants a counter-proposal to the group initiative," says Manager Patrick Marty. The Version adopted by the national Council last summer, was in the broad right. It must be the goal, to find a solution of the initiator.

The IG detail trade wool to prevent the Initiative comes without a counter-proposal before the people, says Marty. "Such a vote, the fight will be difficult." On the other hand, the Initiative to take legitimate concerns. Companies have one responsibility. "Our members are addressed such questions in the morning."

The large retailers are in this Position in the Swiss economy, not alone. Already no longer a separate Committee for a counter-proposal exists. Here, too, industry representatives are active. Among other things, Jürg Bucher, formerly group head of the Post and today the President of the Valiant-Bank. (Editorial Tamedia)

Created: 11.03.2019, 10:54 PM