Pilot initiative reveals key lessons for building industry-wide grievance mechanisms

A new report highlights lessons from a pilot cross-company grievance mechanism developed by German automotive companies, civil society organizations, and trade unions to address human rights risks in global supply chains. The initiative, tested in Mexico, aimed to provide workers with a shared platform to report labor rights violations and access remedy. While the project demonstrated the potential of collaborative grievance systems, it also faced governance and coordination challenges that prevented its continuation. Experts say the experience offers valuable insights for designing more resilient, well-governed grievance mechanisms across industries.

Source: adapted from Business and Human Rights Centre, March 2026.