In many countries, heightened citizen awareness is helping to build momentum for new employment legislation, though it is important to note that labour laws have historically been poorly enforced. The European Commission, for example, has committed to setting rules for mandatory corporate environmental and human rights due diligence, which is in a discussion phase as of October 2020, while in Germany there are plans to enforce protection of supply chain workers.
Meanwhile, Middle Eastern states including Qatar and Lebanon are taking steps toward abolishing the punishing “kafala” (sponsorship) employment system for migrant workers. However, progress does not always follow an upwards trajectory — India cleared new labour codes in September 2020, raising concerns that workers could be fired by employers more easily, and in California, a new bill to protect garment workers was deprioritised from discussion in the 2020 legislative session.