On the way to living income and living wage – how can governments and private sector work together?

“In the wake of the recent EU legislative proposal on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDD-D), published on 23 February 2022, which is explicitly safeguarding “adequate living wages” (see Art. 17 in the Annex) BMZ will host a meeting to advance living incomes and wages on EU level and beyond. The meeting is taking place in person on Tuesday, 21 June 2022 from 1.30 – 5.00 PM at the BMZ-Headquarters, but the livestream will be available for everyone here on this page on the day of the event.

Living incomes and wages should be positioned as an important approach for European companies and retailers to effectively prevent human rights risks in their supply chains as well as to fulfil due diligence obligations. So far, the German and Dutch governments signed on 27 January 2021 a Joint Declaration to promote living incomes and wages. The declaration is a clear signal to companies to comply with and go beyond their upcoming corporate due diligence obligations.”

Introductionary program to the Living Income / Living wage concept:

1:30 – 1:55    Introduction to the Living Income / Living Wage concept and the work of the Living Income Community of Practice (LICOP)

1:55 – 2:20    Launch of the Living Income Guidance for Governments, developed by the Sustainable Food Lab (SFL) and Fair Trade Advocacy Office (FTAO)

2:20 – 2:45    Input by OECD on the upcoming OECD-Handbook for Companies on Living Income and Wages in the agricultural and textile sector

2:45 – 3:00    Input on Living Income and Living Wage processes at ILO

High Level Agenda:

3:35 – 4:30    Panel discussion “How can governments and private sector work together towards living income and wages in global supply chains?”

• German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development – Svenja Schulze, Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development – Liesje Schreinemacher and further representatives from producing and consuming country governments, private sector and civil society

4:30 – 4:50    Q&A from the live audience

4:50 – 5:00    Final observations