Little support for Swiss government ideas on ethical business

Counter-proposal on corporate responsibility receives little support Keystone-SDA

The Swiss government's counter-proposal to a popular initiative on corporate ethics has received little support from businesses or politicians.

The business community and the centre-right political parties reject the counter-proposal outright and the initiative’s backers and the left believe it does not go far enough.

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The Radical Party has categorically rejected the indirect counter-proposal to the Responsible Business initiative, which aims to force companies to to respect human rights and protect the environment.

The party argues that it is too similar to the initiative and does not solve the problems. The counter-proposal, it says, puts Swiss companies at a disadvantage in international competition, creates legal uncertainty and jeopardises jobs.

Swissmem, the Swiss technology and engineering industry association, also rejects the counter-proposal in its entirety.

The indirect counter-proposal received cautious support from the Centre Party. However, it considers the proposal to go too far.

The vote initiators, the Social Democrats and the Green Liberal Party, also welcomed the general direction of the proposal. It provides important initial impetus, but does not yet achieve the objective of an effective international regulatory framework, they argued.

The Federal Council’s indirect counter-proposal to the Responsible Business initiative aims to ensure the protection of human rights and the environment within sustainable corporate governance, whilst maintaining economic competitiveness and reducing administrative burdens and costs.

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Translated from German, reviewed by an English Department journalist.