Minister Adriaansens’ criticism of the initiative law on corporate responsibility was in fact expressed at an unfortunate moment. The VVD minister is right in terms of content, thinks CDA deputy Mustafa Amhaouch. “You can’t make companies responsible for things they have no influence over.”
Adriaansens (Economic Affairs) acknowledged last night in the House of Representatives that he had also spoken out with his criticisms of the International Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative (IMVO) law. She apologized and stressed that the cabinet has not yet taken a position on the proposal. Both PvdA, GroenLinks and SP as well as the governing parties ChristenUnie and D66 signed the initiative law.
‘Ministers and the cabinet don’t deal with bills. This is what the Chamber is about,’ says Amhaouch. “But I think this is the minister’s sincere position.” He stresses that national legislation can only be drafted through European directives. “First there has to be, then do the translation into the national team.”
“A valid concern.”
The European Council and the European Commission are already working on the rules for corporate social responsibility, the European Parliament will start working on this in the coming months. But the Dutch directive proposal already goes beyond the European plans. The initiative law prescribes, among other things, that a company is responsible for the entire supply chain. “A justified concern,” says Amhaouch. “You can’t make companies responsible for things they have no influence over.”
Solo course
Furthermore, trade and the economy are European affairs in the eyes of the CDA deputy. ‘Trade agreements are also concluded in a European context. I don’t understand why a party like D66 is doing a solo course here.’
The effect of the bill is already that companies are considering leaving the Netherlands. ‘Understandable discomfort’, thinks Amhaouch. ‘Companies make long-term investments. But it is clear that entrepreneurs really need to embrace corporate social responsibility.’ He therefore prefers that European guidelines are followed. “And look at specific regions, you can set up special funds for that in order to improve the business climate in order to keep the gems in the business community.”
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
