Annual Maastricht Symposium for Global Health

Over the last decade, production has shifted – from well-regulated, higher-wage, and largely unionised factories in higher income settings nations, towards less-regulated, lower-wage, and less-unionised facilities in lower income settings. Through the growth of international supply chains over the last centuries, the hope was that growth would improve living conditions, health and welfare through

increased employment opportunities in low-income settings. forced (child) labour, human trafficking), a lack of occupational health and safety measures, as well as environmental damage (for example pollution and biodiversity loss), land grabbing and corruption, have contributed to harmful impacts on health. Therefore, voices from NGOs, activists and unionists pointed to the development and implementation of mandatory legislation necessary to effectively address the detrimental effects of current global supply chains. Legal scholars recognize labour provisions as an assurance mechanism that helps to establish health principles and rights at work. While the right to the highest attainable standard of safe and healthy working conditions is addressed in labour clauses and ILO Conventions, these principles require greater integration for all future trade and investment policy. As efforts to encourage companies to take responsibility for health and sustainability aspects on a voluntary basis have proven not to be sufficient, many multinational companies have gained unprecedented economic power and make use of weak regulations and enforcement systems in lower-income settings to make more profit. In June this year, the European Union Act on ‘due diligence’ in the supply chain came into effect. The proposal aims to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour throughout global value chains. Companies will be required to identify and prevent, end or mitigate adverse impacts of their activities on human rights, such as child labour and exploitation of workers, and on the environment. The EU promises legal certainty to businesses, transparency for consumers and investors and pledges the advancements of the green transition and protection of human rights in Europe and beyond. However, critics point to the fact that Europe made this legislation without consulting the production partners. Although the main objective of this regulation is beyond doubt, there is discussion about whether formal regulation is indeed the right way to address the pressing issues that are at stake, whether it is enough and whether effective implementation is feasible. Is Due Diligence a genuine solution or just a facade within the neoliberal paradigm? What are the practical challenges regarding its implementation, and enforcement? This debate on due diligence in the global supply chain will be the topic of the 13th Annual Maastricht Symposium on Global Health. Guest speakers, with backgrounds in research, unions, fair trade organisations, and industry, will engage in discussion as the symposium aims to encourage an exchange of ideas and solutions regarding this year’s topic. The keynote will be provided by Prof Dr Alexandra Hughes, professor of Economic Geography at Newcastle University, UK.