The missing piece in due diligence
A central theme throughout the afternoon was that many due diligence processes still lack one critical source of information: workers themselves.
Companies increasingly invest in audits, assessments, and reporting systems to identify risks in their supply chains. Yet many workplace realities remain difficult to detect through these mechanisms alone. Workers are often the first to recognise problems, whether related to occupational safety, working conditions, labour rights, or other human rights risks.
Just as importantly, workers frequently know what is needed to address these challenges. Their experiences provide insights that can help companies identify root causes, prioritise actions, and strengthen the effectiveness of their due diligence efforts.
