Belgian Supermarkets Fall Short on Human Rights, Study Found

Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Based on the findings of the ‘Superlist Social’ study, Belgian supermarkets fall short in ensuring human rights across supply chains, with Lidl leading transparency efforts while Delhaize, Carrefour, and Colruyt lag behind.

No major Belgian supermarket is doing adequately to ensure the respect of human rights within its supply chains, according to a press release from non-profit Oxfam Belgium regarding the ‘Superlist Social’ study. Superlijst Social is a multi-year European research project by the think tank Questionmark, in collaboration with the NGO Rikolto and support from Oxfam Belgium and Fairtrade Belgium.  

Which Belgian supermarket ranks highest for human rights transparency?

In the ranking of the Social Super List, Lidl is the forerunner and Aldi is in the middle. Delhaize, Carrefour and Colruyt perform the least well. Lidl annually identifies which chains have a high risk of human rights violations, and then identifies and responds to the problems. Lidl is also the most transparent about its suppliers and is the only supermarket that has a complaints procedure specifically for its supply chains. Lidl and Aldi are also the only ones to have an action plan against gender-based violence for all their chains.

Are Delhaize, Carrefour, and Colruyt proactive in human rights protection?

The report examined the commitments of Aldi, Carrefour, Colruyt, Delhaize and Lidl to protecting human rights, advancing gender equality, and supporting the rights of farmers throughout the world. Despite some enterprising projects, particularly in cocoa farming, the study indicated that none of the five supermarkets have enforced a comprehensive approach across their entire supply chains.

Will supermarkets meet EU due diligence requirements by 2027?

However, the new European directive on due diligence demands this broad approach by 2027, noted ‘Superlist Social’. “This study is thus a wake-up call for supermarkets,” emphasised Jelle Goossens of the non-profit Rikolto, which took part in the study.

What impact do supermarkets have on European farmers’ rights?

Most supermarkets are accomplishing their utmost to increase the incomes of farmers operating in banana plantations or the cocoa sector, according to the study. “These projects are valuable and have a tangible impact,” remarked Philippe Weiler, Managing Director of Fairtrade Belgium. “But supermarkets sell many other outcomes, such as coffee, for which the social and environmental challenges require a similar approach.”

How comprehensive are Belgian supermarkets’ human rights policies?

The study also discussed the measures taken by the major Belgian supermarkets to defend the rights of European farmers. While some supermarkets have inscribed long-term contracts with European farmers and others purchase from cooperatives, “no supermarket has made a pledge […] to long-term contracts and fair prices for European farmers.”

At present, no supermarket includes or applies all the measures set out in the European 

directive on due diligence in its approach, the study’s authors added. “Supermarkets still have a significant deal of work to do,” commented Bart Van Besien, advocacy officer at Oxfam Belgium.

The ‘Superlist’ study is an industry of the think tank Questionmark and was produced in association with Rikolto and with the support of Oxfam Belgium and Fairtrade Belgium.