Report on social responsibility for firms delayed

Date: 11/01/01

SOCIAL affairs chief Anna Diamantopoulou has delayed proposals to make businesses act in a more socially responsible way following a promise from Belgium to advance the issue during its presidency.

The Commissioner was due to present a paper on corporate responsibility at the beginning of this year but has now promised Brussels she will sit on the plans until the summer. Belgium in return has said it will push the idea as a key element of its social-orientated stint at the EU helm.

Diamantopoulou believes persuading firms to be socially responsible is an important way of improving the living and working conditions of Europeans without stifling the Union's economic success. She is particularly keen that neither businesses nor their suppliers use child labour.

Officials say a growing number of European companies are backing codes of conduct but that their scope varies wildly from case to case.

In her plans Diamantopoulou will steer clear of calling for legislation to force companies to come in line, instead hoping to persuade business to see the possibilities for improving their profitability by accepting rules.

Social Affairs chief Anna Diamantopoulou has delayed proposals to make businesses act in a more socially responsible way following a promise from Belgium to advance the issue during its presidency.