News 2011
What business should know about the OECD Guidelines
There are a few core changes to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises that companies must take heed of. OECD Watch elaborates on the opportunities to hold companies to account for their misconduct via the new due diligence, supply chain and human rights provisions in the new Guidelines.
Succesfull mediation in OECD Guidelines complaint against Cermaq
In May 2009 ForUM and Friends of the Earth Norway filed a complaint against Cermaq ASA for multiple breaches of the Guidelines arising from the fish farming and fish feed operations of the company's subsidiary Mainstream. Following the successful conclusion of the mediation process and the joint statement by the complainants and the company the Norwegian NCP concluded the complaint in August 2011.
Towards pro-active implementation of the OECD Guidelines
OECD Watch welcomes the recent update of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. This submission is a supplement to the OECD Watch May 2011 statement on the update. The earlier statement details the improvements and shortcomings of the “new” OECD Guidelines. This submission outlines OECD Watch’s vision for effective implementation and enforcement of the updated Guidelines, and elaborates on recent developments among NCPs.
OECD Watch press release: OECD updates ethical business standards but fails to ensure enforcement
Today, on its 50th anniversary, the OECD will formally adopt a revised text of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises – 10 years after its last major review. The Guidelines set out government expectations for responsible business conduct. While there are valuable additions to the content and scope of the Guidelines, OECD governments failed to agree on more stringent measures to ensure company compliance. This compromises the effectiveness of the OECD Guidelines in resolving conflicts between business and society. These are the conclusions of OECD Watch’s “Statement on the update of the OECD Guidelines for MNEs”, also published today.
Tax evasion in Zambia
SHERPA (France), the Center for Trade Policy and Development (Zambia), the Berne Declaration (Switzerland), l’Entraide Missionnaire (Canada) and Mining Watch (Canada) have filed a complaint today against Glencore International AG and First Quantum Minerals Ltd before the Swiss and Canadian National Contact Points (NCP) for violating the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises. The cause for the complaint lies in the financial and accounting manipulations performed by the two companies’ subsidiary, Mopani Copper Mines Plc (MCM), in order to evade taxation in Zambia.
New Quarterly Case Update March 2011 available
The March 2011 update of new cases filed, pending and recently concluded or rejected cases, and current case statistics is now available.
Clean Clothes Campaign criticises Swiss NCP's handling of Triumph case
In December 2009 a coalition of labour unions, NGOs and labour support groups filed a complaint against Swiss undergarment manufacturer Triumph International for carrying out massive layoffs without consulting unions in Thailand and the Philippines. Despite the willingness of the complainants to engage in mediation, the Swiss NCP has unexpectedly terminated efforts to mediate between the company and Thai and Philippine complainants. The Clean Clothes Campaign and complainants criticise the way how the Swiss NCP has handled the complaint.
Friends of the Earth files OECD Guidelines complaint against ArcelorMittal
On 24 January 2011 Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE) and Liberia-based Sustainable Development Institute (SDI)/Friends of the Earth Liberia have filed a complaint against ArcelorMittal at the Dutch NCP for breaching the OECD Guidelines with regard to its management of its County Social Development Fund (CSDF).
Amnesty International and Friends of the Earth file OECD Guidelines complaint againt Royal Dutch Shell
On 25 January 2011 Amnesty International and Friends of the Earth filed a complaint at the Dutch and UK NCP against Royal Dutch Shell for breaching the OECD Guidelines by making false, misleading and incomplete statements about incidents of sabotage to its operations in the Niger Delta and the sources of pollution in the region.
OECD-GRI sign partnership to help multinational companies operate responsibly
On the 13th of December 2010 the OECD has signed a partnership agreement with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to help companies make greater use of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the GRI Sustainability Reporting Framework, bringing increased coherence and consistency to their efforts to act more responsibly and be more transparent about their sustainability.
OECD Watch and other civil society groups comment on review US NCP
In November 2010 the U.S. Department of State has held consultations on its Review of the U.S. National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Issues for review include the adequacy of the current structure and practices of the U.S. NCP and the changes that should be made to enhance its functioning. OECD Watch, as well as other civil society groups, has provided input into the review process.
Video-blog on the OECD Guidelines
In an interview with Dr Wayne Visser, CEO of CSR International, OECD Watch member Joris Oldenziel reflects on the effectiveness of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The interview was conducted at the 4th annual ACCSR conference in Melbourne on 19 February 2010.
French and Spanish translations of "10 Years On" report now available
In its latest report "10 Years On: Assessing the effectiveness of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises to responsible business conduct" OECD Watch has analysed the implementation and effectiveness of the OECD Guidelines over the past ten years and made an analysis of cases filed by NGOs against corporations alleging violations of the OECD Guidelines. The French and Spanish translations of this report are now available!
Panel Discussion of OECD Guidelines Review, 9 October in Edinburg, UK
The International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs (ICC) Working Group on Business and Human Rights will host a panel event on the current review of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Tricia Feeney from OECD Watch member RAID will be a panellist in this event, together with Roel Nieuwenkamp, Chair of the Working Party for the Review, Claire Methven O’Brien from the ICC Working Group on Business and Human Rights and a speaker from the UK NCP.
Public meeting and opportunity for written input on review US NCP
The US NCP is soliciting written comments (until November 5 2010) and will hold a public meeting on November 2 2010 concerning the review of the US NCP. The key question is whether the current structure and practices of the US NCP effectively achieve the objectives of the OECD Guidelines or whether there are changes that should be made.
Irish and Dutch NCP close case against Shell-consortium in Ireland
The Irish NCP, in cooperation with the Dutch NCP have issued their Final Statement on the complaint filed by Pobal Chill Chomain Community against a consortium of oil companies led by Shell. In August 2008 the complainants have filed a complaint against the consortium for health & safety and environmental issues, as well as human rights violations related to the Corrib gas project located in Ireland.
International media picks up on importance review OECD Guidelines
In OECD Watch's latest key publication the implementation and effectiveness of the OECD Guidelines over the past ten years have been analysed. International media has picked up on this issue, reinforcing OECD Watch's position that a review of the Guidelines is necessary in order for the instrument to become a credible, legitimate and enforceable standard to resolve corporate abuses and promote responsible business behaviour in the 21st century.
Video public panel debate ”Corporate Justice?" now online
The public panel debate” Corporate Justice? In search of effective remedies for victims of corporate abuse” can now be viewed online. This panel debate was organised by OECD Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre on July 7th 2010 in Amsterdam. This public panel debate can now be viewed online.
OECD Watch General Assembly 2010
On June 27 and 28, 2010, OECD Watch held their Annual General assembly in Paris. In attendance were 30 members representing 20 countries. The General Assembly also hosted nine aspiring members hailing from Africa and Europe.
Make or break for the OECD Guidelines? OECD Watch critiques of Guidelines’ effectiveness
In the first decade of this century, governments of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have been unable to protect workers, communities and the environment from harm caused by multinational corporations. This is the conclusion of OECD Watch’s latest report that was launched today at a press conference in Paris.
