Multinationals in Switzerland: Rights but also Duties!

The “Déclaration de Berne“Association handed over a petition signed by 135 285 people to Parliament on 13 May.   The signatories are demanding that members of Parliament oblige companies which have their headquarters in Switzerland to respect human rights and environmental standards around the world.

Between 2003 and 2009, 269 foreign companies moved their central or regional headquarters to Switzerland.

Switzerland now accounts for 15 to 25 % of the commodity trading market by value, overtaking the City in oil trading. It is also home to the biggest private security company in the World.

This petition was launched by 50 organizations in November, 2011. Switzerland has got a particular responsibility as it hosts  multinationals which are based in the country for advantageous fiscal or legal reasons and which do business in sensitive sectors.

Source: Déclaration de Berne,  www.ladb.ch/