Latest news
Best Practices: Comparing National Contact Points
European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) carried out a comparison “peer review” based on its OECD Guidelines complaints against 7 cotton traders from France, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom for knowingly profiting from (forced) child labour in the Uzbek cotton industry.
Parties reach agreement in OECD Guidelines case regarding Nidera’s human rights policies and practices in Argentina
In the context of an OECD Guidelines case, the NGOs CEDHA, INCASUR, Oxfam Novib and SOMO have reached an agreement with the Netherlands-based agricultural MNE Nidera regarding the company’s human rights policies and practices. As part of the agreement, Nidera strengthened its human rights policy, formalised human rights due diligence procedures for temporary rural workers, and allowed the NGOs to monitor its Argentine corn seed operations through field visits.
Norwegian Nickel Controversy
The Norwegian NCP issues its final statement regarding the complaint filed by Framtiden i våre hender against Norway-based Intex Resources for violating indigenous peoples’ human and environmental rights in 2009. In its final statement the Norwegian NCP concludes that Norwegian-owned Mindoro Nickel Project in the Philippines should consult a broader group of indigenous peoples and be more transparent about adverse environmental impacts.
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.
