UNI urges EU to safeguard sustainability laws amid proposed Omnibus regulation

UNI Global Union, alongside 160 trade unions, NGOs, and civil society organizations, has urged the European Union to protect legislation that safeguards human rights, the environment, and climate initiatives. This call to action comes in response to plans announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in November 2024 for an Omnibus law aimed at reducing business reporting requirements linked to the European Green Deal.

The proposed changes would affect three key pillars: the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the Taxonomy Regulation, which promotes green investment. UNI Global Union expressed concerns that these adjustments could weaken laws designed to hold corporations accountable.

Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, stated: “The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) ensures that businesses uphold workers’ rights throughout their operations and supply chains. Undermining it, and the other pillars of the European Green Deal, under the guise of reducing red tape jeopardizes human rights, decent working conditions and the environment. At a time when inequality is deepening and democracy is under attack, the European Union must be bold, stand firm and not risk these hard-won laws being watered down.”