Summary

The Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises conducted a visit to Italy from 27 September to 6 October 2021. The Working Group was encouraged by ongoing efforts to advance responsible business conduct and to address remaining gaps, particularly in relation to preventing and addressing serious abuses suffered by migrant workers in the agricultural and other sectors. However, numerous challenges remain, in particular regarding the need to address the root causes of such abuses, unsafe working conditions across supply chains and how to hold businesses to account.

The Working Group also observed efforts by the Government to find a balanced approach towards industrial-economic development, the protection of human rights and the environment and noted that meaningful participation of affected communities in environmental decisions remains insufficient, which also hampers efforts to ensure inclusive transition to a green economy as well as social and environmental accountability.