Oxfam Germany has filed a complaint against Edeka and Rewe, the two largest food retailers in Germany, for "working conditions on banana plantations in Ecuador and Costa Rica," according to Banana Link[https://www.bananalink.org.uk/news/oxfam-germany-files-complaint-under-new-supply-chain-law/]. 

The NGO filed an official complaint under the German Supply Chain Act, which came into force on January 1, 2023. Based on the UN's guiding principles, the law is designed to "hold German companies accountable for human rights risks in their supply chains." 

In this way, trade unions and NGOs can file complaints on behalf of victims, and companies can be fined if they fail to comply with their human rights due diligence obligations to prevent or remedy the human rights violations in question. 

The NGO alleges that "labour rights violations are taking place on the plantations that supply Edeka and Rewe, but also Aldi and Lidl". 

However, while the latter collaborate with the unions to address the issues raised, "Edeka and Rewe bury their heads in the sand or refuse to collaborate with the workers and their unions in finding solutions." 

Complaints will be reviewed by the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). 

Oxfam Germany intends to closely follow BAFA's response alongside Aldi and Lidl's efforts to act decisively and effectively to resolve human rights violations in collaboration with workers' unions. 

If companies fail to meet their obligations, the BAFA can impose fines of up to 2% of their annual turnover.