In this newsletter

• In brief
• Media attention for report on gemstones: 'Rough Cut'
• For ethical investors:  infosheets on the electronics sector
• Supporting developing countries’ ability to raise tax revenues
• Electronics industry: auto-industry as an example?
• Are codes of conduct and standards important for SMEs in developing countries
• Buy IT fair: making the international computer supply chain and procurement more sustainable
• New publications
• Upcoming publications

 In brief

• OECD Watch compiled list of key issues to be addressed in review of OECD Guidelines
• Organizations of the EU campaigns makeITfair (30/31 March)and Procure IT Fair (31 March/1 April) will both have a strategy meeting with partner organisations in Amsterdam.
• Towards Tax Justice: 25/26 March 2010 a Pan-Africa Taxation and Development conference took place in Nairobi, Kenya.
• SOMO is looking for three new colleagues (vacancies only in Dutch available)
• SOMO will give advice tot the High-Level Group of Member States Representatives on CSR in developing countries.

 Media attention for report on gemstones: 'Rough Cut'

Colourful gemstones, such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds, grace a huge amount of jewellery. But the world behind these gemstones looks a lot less attractive, poor working conditions are widespread. This is shown from a recent study by SOMO; ‘Rough Cut. Sustainability Issues in the Coloured Gemstone Industry’. The media was widely interested in this research. Author Sanne van der Wal has been interviewed by the Dutch Radio 1 and Radio Kassa. Daily Dutch newspapers as Spits and de Volksrant published articles about this subject. The jewellery industry published about it, like on the website Sieradenpassionista.nl.

 For ethical investors: infosheets on the electronics sector

The strategy of active commitment is becoming increasingly popular among ethical investors: with increasing frequency they are pursuing an active dialogue with the management of businesses to encourage them to improve their record on human rights and environmental awareness. SOMO is keen to support this effective method of influencing the corporate sector with recently published infosheets on the electronics sector (extractives, supply chain and e-waste).

 Supporting developing countries’ ability to raise tax revenues

The aim of the DPRN project (Dutch Development Policy Review Network) is to enhance the exchange of information and cooperation among relevant actors aiming to support developing countries’ ability to raise tax revenues and presenting concrete recommendations and tools for policy makers and NGOs on how to achieve this support. To address this, SOMO and Tax Justice in the Netherlands organised a series of activities in the framework of the DPRN. Some results: several reports, created linkages, dialogues, an increasing awareness, a signed Memorandum of Understanding and campaigning & research by advocacy groups.

 Electronics industry: auto-industry as an example?

None of the ten largest automotive companies (Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen) consider the human rights impacts of the mining of their metals as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. These companies are at risk of being linked to grave human rights violations. These are the main findings in SOMO’s paper (February 2010) 'Driven by Corporate Social Responsibility? Top ten car manufacturers – A CSR analysis'. While the urgent need to address such issues is recognized by other industries, such as the electronics industry, automotive companies have remained passive until now. Many car manufacturers gave a reaction on this report.

 Are codes of conduct and standards important for SMEs in developing countries

UNIDO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, has commissioned SOMO to carry out research into the importance of codes of conduct and standards for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. The project is based on research conducted in the clothing industry in Turkey, the furniture industry in Brazil and the leather industry in India. Local researchers interviewed over 100 businesses in these countries. Based on the findings of this study, UNIDO will publish a handbook in the latter half of this year in collaboration with SOMO on codes of conduct and business standards. The handbook is designed to help businesses in developing countries establish their own codes of conduct and enhance their market opportunities.

 Buy IT fair: Making the international computer supply chain and procurement more sustainable

The electronics industry generates economic growth and provides jobs worldwide, but this sector also has its dark side. The recent folder 'buy IT fair - sustainable purchasing of computers' paints a sobering picture of the problems in this industry. Human rights violations and structural labour disputes are the order of the day, to say nothing of the major environmental concerns. These issues encompass the entire life cycle of the computer, from obtaining the raw materials to manufacturing the components to processing IT hardware that has been discarded. 'Buy IT' fair gives a clear and concise account of how governments, companies and other organizations can use their purchasing power to help make the international computer supply chain more sustainable.

 New publications

 Upcoming publications