On 19 September 2024, the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights (LBI-GMR) hosted a Round Table on the new EU Supply Chain Act at the Ministry of Labour and Economics in Vienna. The LBI-GMR was represented by Helmut Sax, Senior Researcher, and Clara Kuhlmann, Carlo-Schmid-Fellow. The focus was on the importance of the Supply Chain Act for the protection of children’s rights and the prevention of child exploitation and child trafficking.

The event was organised in cooperation with the Austrian Task Force against Human Trafficking (Working Groups on Labour Exploitation and Child Trafficking), with the support of the Principality of Liechtenstein. At the beginning, the LBI-GMR reported on research work on the topic. Afterwards, the experts present exchanged views on expectations and challenges with regard to a child rights-focussed implementation of the EU Directive in Austria. Nearly 35 representatives from ministries and provincial administrations, the Chamber of Labour, trade unions, the Chamber of Commerce and several civil society organisations were also present.