Seminar on Workers’ rights and fair competition – the case for a strong Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

The Swedish Trade Union Confederations would like to invite you to a seminar on the Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD), hosted by Ilan de Basso, Member of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (S&D).

The seminar aims to discuss how to ensure workers’ rights and fair competition, nd deliver a Directive that makes a difference on the ground in Europe and in third countries. Speakers will include: Lara Wolters, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Legal Affairs and Rapporteur of the CSDD (S&D); Blake Harwell, Senior Policy Advisor and coordinator of the TUAC Working Group on Multinational Enterprises (OECD); Théo Jaekel, Director, Business and Human Rights (Ericsson); 
Isabelle Schömann, Deputy-Secretary General, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC); and Therese Guovelin, First Vice-President, The Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO).  

Please find a draft programme below. We hope to see you in the European Parliament (Room number to be confirmed) on 8 February 2023 10:30-12:00 (followed by light lunch).

If you have any questions, please send them to: [email protected] 

Draft programme
 

10.30 Welcome by the organisers 

1. Ilan de Basso, Member of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (S&D)
2. Therese Guovelin, First Vice-President, The Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO)
    

10.40 Introduction by moderator

1. Isabelle Schömann, Deputy-Secretary General, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)
    

10.45 A directive on corporate sustainability due diligence (CSDD) that makes a difference for workers

1. Therese Guovelin, First Vice-President, The Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO)

10.55 The existing regulatory framework and why it has to change

1. Blake Harwell, Senior Policy Advisor and coordinator of the TUAC Working Group on Multinational Enterprises (OECD)

11.10 Making a difference on the ground in third countries

1. Trade union representative from a third country (TBC)

11.20 Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence in practice 

1. Théo Jaekel, Director, Business and Human Rights (Ericsson)

11.30 Panel discussion: How to ensure a strong CSDD directive that makes a difference for workers

1. Lara Wolters, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Legal Affairs and rapporteur of the CSDD directive (S&D)
2. Ilan de Basso, Member of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (S&D)
3. Samira Rafaela, Member of the European Parliament Committee on International Trade, rapporteur for opinion of the CSDD directive, European Parliament (Renew) (TBC)
4. Blake Harwell, Senior Policy Advisor and coordinator of the TUAC WG on Multinational Enterprises (OECD)
    

11.55 Closing remarks and next steps

1. Therese Guovelin, Therese Guovelin, First Vice-President, The Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO)

12.00 Lunch sandwiches and drinks