Economic Reform
Economic Reform News
New SOMO report on ING highlights corporate social responsibility issues
10-05-2012
SOMO has looked into ING’s holdings of controversial companies and its lobby on financial reform. SOMO concludes amongst others that ING can and should do more to stop its shareholdings in companies involved in the production of cluster ammunition and landmines.
Sticking up for UNCTAD
19-04-2012
“The financial sector should serve the public interest again. Regulation of financial services has to be done in conjunction with the reform of trade agreements. UNCTAD, the UN body for trade and development, is the preferred organisation to monitor this process in the interest of developing countries.” In support of UNCTAD, senior researcher Myriam Vander Stichele of SOMO will address the thirteenth UNCTAD conference with similar words in Doha, Qatar on Thursday.
Protest rally against free trade agreement in India
10-02-2012
On the eve of the EU-India Summit in New Delhi on February 10th, SOMO has contributed to an analysis of the ongoing negotiations between the EU and India on a free trade agreement (FTA). Together with civil society organisations in India and Europe and its partner Madhyam, SOMO has expressed its concern about the negative impact of this FTA on vulnerable communities in India. Negotiators and politicians within the EU and in India have refused to listen to these objections. A protest rally by civil organisations, farmers and trade unions has therefore been held during the summit on February 10th.
Local voices remain unheard by mining and electronic companies
09-12-2011
On the eve of international Human Rights Day (10 December), makeITfair’s new report Unheard Voices reveals how local communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are barely consulted by copper and cobalt mining companies that are taking their land or digging next to their houses. These minerals are being mined in part to satisfy the global demand for the latest high tech mobile phones and computers produced by the electronics industry.
Huge Cost of Tax Evasion Revealed as Campaign to Tackle Tax Havens Launches
25-11-2011
New research published by the Tax Justice Network shows that tax evasion costs 145 countries, representing over 98% of world GDP, more than US$3.1 trillion annually.
