Thoughts on the criminal liability of companies from a labour perspective

Authors

  • Ráczi Zsófia PhD student University of Miskolc Faculty of Law Institute of Civil Law Department of Agricultural and Labuour Law

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32978/sjp.2025.006

Keywords:

liability, criminal law, companies, sustainability, regulation

Abstract

Liability is key to society’s self-correction. In recent years, we may now say decades, and especially recently, numerous reports, research and forecasts have warned that humanity is heading in the wrong direction and that urgent change is needed. Companies have a particularly significant impact on the achievement of sustainability, with influence extending to the environmental, economic and social pillars. The paper touches on the issue of corporate
criminal liability, focusing in particular on how the current legal framework can be strengthened to achieve sustainability goals, for example through the regulation of supply chains. The aim of the paper is to provide food for thought to further consider the legal and moral aspects of corporate liability in the context of sustainability.

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Published

2025-10-03

How to Cite

Ráczi, Z. (2025). Thoughts on the criminal liability of companies from a labour perspective. Publicationes Universitatis Miskolcinensis Sectio Juridica Et Politica, 43(1), 109–124. https://doi.org/10.32978/sjp.2025.006

Issue

Section

STUDIES IN THE FIELD OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE