News
Multinational corporations in conflict
‘In conflict-affected areas it is of vital importance to monitor multinational corporations operating there and to support local communities who are impacted by these corporations,’ states SOMO researcher Mark van Dorp. ‘Particularly in conflict-affected countries, corporations can inflict great damage because of the lack of a functioning government and of civil society.’ This is why SOMO has initiated the ‘Multinational Corporations in Conflict’ programme, and recently took part in the conference organised by the Knowledge Platform on Security & Rule of Law.
Strategic guides for civil society organisations now available in Chinese
The 2012 Multi Stakeholder Initiatives (MSI) guide and UN Guiding Principles (UNGP) guide are now available in Chinese.
Complaint filed against Electrolux for violating OECD guidelines
The management of Electrolux Thailand has violated the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining of the workers of the Electrolux Rayong plant, according to Swedwatch.
Malaysian electronics manufacturer Renesas Semiconductor criticised for union busting
87 civil society organisations from Malyasia and abroad are calling on Renesas Semiconductor (formerly NEC Semiconductors Malaysia) to stop obstructing or delaying, and immediately accord recognition to the union.
FGG Alliance and ABP/APG make joint statement regarding OECD complaint
As part of an international coalition of NGOs, the Fair Green & Global Alliance (FGG) filed an OECD complaint in 2012 against pension fund ABP and its fund asset manager All Pension Group (APG), who have shares in South Korean company Pohang Iron and Steel Company (POSCO). As a result of the complaint, the Netherlands National Contact Point (NCP) facilitated a dialogue between ABP/APG and the FGG, which led to a joint agreement and a statement from the Netherlands NCP. With this agreement the parties hope to make a positive contribution to a solution for the continuing escalation of conflict in India. A conflict where violence is being used against the local population near POSCO’s disputed mining project in Odisha and where human rights are not being respected.
SOMO annual report 2012
