News
Fixing Global Finance
The G20 Finance ministers meet in Gyeongj (South-Korea) from 22 to 23 October 2010 to prepare the G20 Summit in November where important decisions on financial reforms should be taken. A new report by Kavaljit Singh provides a critical analysis of the financial system and the financial crisis from a civil society perspective, which is still too little heard in official decisionmaking like the G20.
Hazelnut chain under fire
Three-quarters of all hazelnuts come from Turkey, and they find their way into our chocolate spreads and chocolate bars, among other things. TV programme Eén Vandaag had a detailed report on the issue on 19 October, entitled ‘Turkish children work for hazelnuts’. Since then, the CU and SP have asked questions in parliament about the involvement of Dutch companies. SOMO was commissioned by the Stop Kinderarbeid (Stop Child Labour) to carry out a background study into the production chain of hazelnuts.
New issue EU Financial Reforms newsletter
A new issue of the Newsletter on EU Financial Reforms provides you with the necessary background in time before the EU Council of Ministers meet on 19 October 2010, which will be preparing for the G20 meetings of the G20 Ministers of finance on 22-23 October and the G20 Summit on 11-12 November.
Local voices must be heard
In the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) violent conflict continues to cause immense suffering for local people. At the same time tin, coltan, wolframite and gold, helping to fuel the conflict, find their way into our mobile phones and computers. Electronics companies and other actors are active to curb the link between the conflict and the mineral trade. The today published makeITfair report shows that these efforts are very necessary, however it also highlights that local organisations feel they are not involved properly and they do not want the situation to lead to a boycott.
Foxconn suicides forgotten, back to business as usual? New SACOM report released.
Today, Hong Kong labour rights organisation SACOM is releasing an investigative report, entitled ‘Workers as Machines; Military Management in Foxconn’. Between January and August 2010, 17 Foxconn workers attempted to commit suicide - resulting in the death of 13 young people. The new report makes clear that thus far Foxconn and its high-profile customers including Apple, HP, and Dell have failed to effectively and transparently address underlying labour issues at the Foxconn production facilities. In a joint press statement, GoodElectronics, SACOM, Bread for All, makeITfair and the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) urge the electronics industry to show leadership by taking responsibility for decent labour standards for the workers in the global electronics supply chain. Reforming buying practices would be a first urgent step.
The Powerful and the Powerless
