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Sunday, October 6, 2013

Leighton faces class action over bribery allegations

Construction giant Leighton Holdings is facing a shareholder class action over allegations of bribery and corruption in Iraq. More on ABC News. Leighton Holdings Limited is a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF Australia Holdings Limited (LEI:AU)(LEI), which operates as a subsidiary of Hochtief AG. Hochtief AG is a Global Compact participant since 2008/11/03.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

BHP faces possible sanctions following US corporate gifts investigation

Mining giant BHP Billiton might face sanctions as investigations into corporate gifts continue, the miner reported on Friday. In 2009, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requested information from the company, prompting BHP to launch internal investigations and to disclose evidence regarding possible violations of anticorruption laws involving interactions with foreign government officials. More on Mining Weekly. BHP is a Global Compact participant since 2003/07/21. In 2013, BHP was a USD 15000 contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact and USD 10000 contributor in 2012 and 2011.

Second Danone unit probes bribery allegations in China

Danone SA's advanced medical nutrition unit Nutricia has started an internal investigation after a Chinese newspaper published a report alleging it had bribed more than 100 doctors in Beijing to boost sales, the company said on Wednesday. More on Reuters. Danone is a Global Compact participant since 2003/02/27.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Protests continue in Bucharest against gold mine plan in Rosia Montana

About 1,000 people gathered in Bucharest on Tuesday night for a third day of protests against plans for Europe's biggest opencast gold mine. More on the Guardian. Read previous post. Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is 19.31 percent owned by the Romanian state with the remaining shareholders including Gabriel Resources, Newmont and Barrick Gold all three companies being Global Compact participants. The consortium itself is registered as as a Global Compact participant since 2005.

China's GSK probe motivated solely by wish to curb corruption

The major pharmaceutical multinational GlaxoSmithKline is being investigated by the Chinese authorities for anti-trust and bribery offences. More on the South China Morning Post. Read previous post. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK:LN), (GSK:London) is a Global Compact participant since 2007/08/10.

Olympus to be prosecuted by UK fraud agency

Japanese camera and medical equipment maker Olympus and its UK subsidiary Gyrus Group will be prosecuted by the UK's Serious Fraud Office. More on BBC News Olympus (7733:Tokyo), (OCPNY‎) is a Global Compact participant since 2004/10/20.

Hewlett-Packard Says Polish Regulators Join Bribery Probe

Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ), the world’s second-biggest personal-computer maker, said Polish investigators joined a probe by U.S. regulators into potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by the company. More on Bloomberg. Read the previous post. Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) is a Global Compact participant since 2002/08/29.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Billerica, Mass. Company to Pay $2.6+ Million for Alleged Pesticide Violations

EMD Millipore Corporation, of Billerica, Mass., has agreed to pay $2,681,500 in civil penalties to settle EPA allegations that it violated the federal pesticide law and regulations on numerous instances over many years. More on the EPA website. EMD Millipore Corporation is a subsidiary of Merck KGaA (MRCG.DE)(MRK:Xetra), a Global Compact participant since 2005/07/01. Merck KgAA was a 2013 Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact.

Novartis dragged into China bribery scandal

Swiss drug maker Novartis has become the third Western pharmaceuticals company to be accused of bribery in China, after a newspaper published allegations against the firm. More on the Telegraph. Novartis is a Global Compact participant since 2000/07/26 and is considered as one of the organization's Founding Fathers. Novartis was a LEAD contributor (USD $65,000 +) to the Foundation of the Global Compact in 2012, and a USD 10,000 contributor in 2010.

China probes France’s Sanofi for bribery

French drugmaker Sanofi has been accused of dishing out almost $280,000 in bribes to Chinese doctors in 2007 in a bid to up its sales. Beijing corruption officials have opened a formal investigation. More on France 24. Sanofi is a Global Compact participant since 2000/07/26, and is considered as one of the organization's Founding Fathers. Sanofi was a USD 15,000 contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2013, a Gold Contributor (USD 10,000) in 2012 and 2011.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Mich. Officials Step Up Scrutiny of Enbridge After Water Law Violations

Regulators and landowners say Enbridge violated their trust by not reporting a geyser of oily water that had spewed from a damaged pipe into a creek. More on Inside Climate News. Enbridge (ENB:Toronto), (ENB:TSX) has been a Global Compact participant since 2003/12/16. Enbridge was a Gold Contributor (10000 USD) to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Peru fines Antamina’s owners US$77,000 for toxic spill

The Peruvian government has fined the owners of the Antamina copper-zinc mine around US$77,000 for a toxic slurry spill last year that affected the health of dozens of villagers, according to reports by Associated Press. The country’s environment minister Manuel Pulgar-Vidal told the news agency that the Antamina consortium, which comprises BHP Billiton, Glencore Xstrata plc, Teck Resources Ltd and Mitsubishi Corp, has been fined 207,200 soles (US$77,000) for the spill, which occurred on July 25 last year when a burst pipeline leaked copper concentrate at a pumping station in the Ancash region. More on Mining, People and the Environment. All four companies BHP Billiton, Glencore Xstrata plc, Teck Resources Ltd and Mitsubishi Corp are Global Compact participants. The combined contributions to the Foundation for the Global Compact were in the amount of 85000 USD in 2012.

Friday, July 5, 2013

ISS Strike Breaking Tactics in UK to be raised in European Parliament

ISS accussed of using strike breaking tactics that `breech fundamental principles of social partnership. On 20th June over 250 members of the UNI UK affiliate unions Unite and the GMB took strike action during their dispute over wage negotiations. After rejecting a miserly 2p an hour wage offer from the ISS UK management the unions sought to engage the company in arbitration talks. The 2 unions claim that this is a breach of the Company`s European Agreements to respect trade union rights. More on UNI Global Union. ISS A/S is a Global Compact participant since 2001/07/26.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

China Probes U.K. Pharmaceutical Firm GlaxoSmithKline After Corruption Claims Aired

Police in China have reportedly detained an unknown number of employees for U.K. pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline amid allegations of improper payments made to health officials. More on Forbes. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK:LN), (GSK:London) is a Global Compact participant since 2007/08/10.

Friday, June 28, 2013

OSHA cites AB InBev alleging ‘serious’ US safety violations

An influential US Department of Labor safety body has cited Anheuser-Busch, alleging that the firm failed to protect Houston brewery workers from exposure to carbon dioxide and other workplace hazards. More on Beverage Daily. Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (ABI:EN Brussels) INT, AHBIF, (NYSE: BUD), is a Global Compact participant since 2005/01/17.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Deloitte fined $US10m in laundering case

BIG accountancy firm Deloitte was fined $US10 million by New York State overnight for its actions in advising Standard Chartered Bank over money laundering. Read more on news.com.au Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited is one of the Global Compact Founding Fathers. Deloitte has signed the CEO Letter on UN Convention against Corruption. It is high profile member of the Working Group on the 10th Principle. The company is a 15000 USD Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2013, was a Gold contributor (10000 USD) in 2012.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Deutsche Bahn Gave Greece Kickbacks

A judicial inquiry in Frankfurt, Germany, revealed that the German railway company Deutsche Bahn gave 315,000 euros as bribes to Greece and to other countries in Africa and Asia. More on Greek Reporter. Deutsche Bahn AG DBHN:GR (DEUBAHP), DBHN is a Global Compact participant since 2009/04/15.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Condemnation of Newspaper La Nacion for Abuse and Gender Discrimination [ES]

Argentinian media company La Nacion SA was ordered to compensate an employee with 583,821 pesos for failing to meet international standards on gender equality. The Court of the National Labour Chamber asked the newspaper to indemnify the employee for gender discrimination and harassment. The company did not comply with international occupational standards relating to gender equality in employment, the court said. More on UNO [Spanish]. S.A. La Nacion is a Global Compact participant since 2004/08/25.

SMA approves mining compliance program Teck Quebrada Blanca [ES]

On April 3 2013, the Chilean Environment Agency (SMA) approved the Compliance Program presented by Teck Quebrada Blanca mine, after the SMA pressed charges against the company in February 2013. The Agency notified the company a series of failures associated to local spills and wastewater treatment. More on the SMA website [Spanish]. Teck Resources (TCK) is a Global Compact participant since 2007/04/17. One of its subsidiaries in Chile, Teck Operaciones Mineras Chile Ltda, is also registered as a Global Compact participant. Teck Resources was a LEAD Contributor (USD $65,000 and up) Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2012, 2010.

Chile bans operations at Barack's $8.5bn gold project, imposes $16m penalty

Chile has temporarily banned operations at gold producer Barrick Gold's flagship $8.5bn Pascua-Lama gold project claiming violations in terms of environmental liabilities. More on Energy Business Review. Barrick Gold Corp. NYSE: ABX,(TSX: ABX), (ABX:New York) is a Global Compact participant since 2005/06/02.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Total Gets FCPA Prosecution Deferred

Total, S.A., a French oil and gas company, will pay a $245.2 million monetary penalty to resolve charges related to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with illegal payments made through third parties to a government official in Iran to obtain valuable oil and gas concessions. More on Corporate Crime Reporter. Total (FP:EN Paris) is a Global Compact participant since 2002/03/07. In 2012, Total S.A. was a LEAD contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact (USD $65,000 +).

Thursday, May 16, 2013

SocGen's Russia unit CEO faces seven years on bribery allegations

The head of Societe Generale's (SOGN.PA: Quote) Russian unit Rosbank faced up to seven years in jail for bribery on Thursday after Russian investigators released a film of him with cash piled on his desk in what several bankers said may have been a set-up. More on Reuters. Societe Generale is a Global Compact participant since 2003/06/09. Societe Generale (SOGN.PA), (GLE:FP), (SCGLY) was a USD 5,000 – USD 20,000 contributor to the Foundation of the Global Compact in 2008.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Lawsuit alleges Merck discriminates against women

A Merck & Co. sales representative is suing the drugmaker for at least $100 million, saying Merck doesn’t give women equal opportunities for advancement and punishes employees for taking maternity leave. More on Boston.com Merck & Co., Inc. is a Global Compact participant since 2009/01/19. Merck(MRK:New York)(XNYS:MRK)(MRK) signed the CEO Statement of Support for the Women's Empowerment Principles.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Hundreds Die While Making Clothes for J.C. Penney, Benetton and others in Bangladesh

The hundreds in Bangladesh killed and injured from the building collapse last week were making clothes for American and European retailers and brands, including JCPenney and Benetton. More than 3,000 people, mostly young women, worked in the Rana Plaza building that contained five garment factories producing items for JCPenney, Cato Fashions, Benetton, Primark, Canada’s Joe Fresh, Walmart’s Canadian operation and others. More on All.gov. According to the Time,"A JCPenney official said that some of the Joe Fresh products being produced at Rana Plaza would have ended up in JCPenney stores". Read more: JCPenney (NYSE:JCP), (JCP:New York), (Ticker: JCP) is a Global Compact participant since 2009/01/14. JCPenney was a USD 10,000 contributor to the Foundation of the Global Compact in 2010, and 2009.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

CEMEX to pay fine, take steps to reduce pollution

A cement manufacturer in Lyons has agreed to pay a $1 million fine and to install new technology to decrease its emissions of the pollutant nitrogen oxide. CEMEX, Inc. had been accused by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of illegally modifying its Lyons plant in a way that greatly increased the amount of nitrogen oxide the facility released. More on KOAA.com. More from the EPA website. Cemex has been a Global Compact participant since June 2004. Cemex(CEMEXCPO),CX,(CX:New York) was a Silver Contributor (5000-10000 USD) to the Global Compact Foundation in 2011 and 2010.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

US sues pharmaceutical firm Novartis in NY, accusing it of prescription drugs kickback scheme

The U.S. government sued Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. Tuesday, claiming it gave kickbacks to pharmacies to switch kidney transplant patients from competitors’ drugs to its own. More on the Washington Post. Novartis International AG (NOVN:SIX Swiss Ex)(NVS:New York) is a Global Compact participant and "Founding Father" since 2000/07/26. Novartis was a LEAD contributor (USD $65,000 +) to the Foundation of the Global Compact in 2012, and USD 10,000 contributor in 2010.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Fashion firm Zara accused of involvement in ’slave labor’ factories

According to Argentinian investigators, workers at factories which produce garments for fashion retailer Zara have been discovered in “degrading” sweatshop conditions. The workers — including children — were allegedly made to work 13-hour shifts, were not allowed to leave without permission, and were forced to work without breaks. More on Smartplanet. Zara is part of Spanish group Inditex, Industrias de Diseno Textil, S.A.,(ITX:Continuous), (ITX:SM), (ES:ITX) a Global Compact participant since 2001/09/19. Inditex was a Silver contributor to the Global Compact Foundation in 2012.

UNI Global Union slams IKEA Turkey for worker abuses

At the Forum on Union Rights and Organising in Istanbul, UNI Global Union and its affiliate Koop-Is described how IKEA Turkey is deliberately discriminating against unionised employees and actively discouraging workers from forming a union, using tactics including bribery and intimidation. More on Uni Global Union website. The IKEA Group is a Global Compact participant since 2004/12/27. IKEA was a Gold contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2010 and 2009.

UNI calls on Deutsche Post DHL to stop anti-union behaviour

Global unions, including UNI, call for Deutsche Post DHL to stop union busting in Turkey after Courts rule workers’ dismissals unfair and linked to union activity. More on UNI Global Union website. Deutsche Post DHL (DPW:Xetra)(DPW:GR) is a Global Compact participant since 2006/07/20. It contributed as a Platinum member in 2011 (USD 10,000 +), and to USD 5,000 - USD 10,000 to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2009.

Fed cites Citi for breaching money-laundering law

The Federal Reserve on Tuesday cited Citigroup Inc. (US:c) for failing to comply with a federal law that requires banks to establish protections against money-laundering but didn't impose a fine. More on Market Watch. Citi Group is a Global Compact participant since 2010/03/24. Citi Group was a Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Air France fined in pro-Palestinian activist case

A French court has found Air France guilty of discrimination for removing a pro-Palestinian activist from a flight to Israel because she was not Jewish. The court also ordered the airline to pay 13,000 euros (£11,000; $17,000) in fines and damages. More on BBC. Air France (AF:EN Paris)(AF:EN Paris) (AF.PA) is a Global Compact participant since 2003/06/03.

Silicosis class action bid filed against Anglo American

Lawyers representing gold miners suffering from the deadly lung disease silicosis said on Thursday they had filed a class action lawsuit application against the South African arm of global mining giant Anglo American. More on Reuters. Also read previous post. Anglo American is a Global Compact participant since 2004/07/27. Anglo American plc was a 2010 Gold Contributor of the Foundation for the Global Compact.

Former Army Soldier Indicted on Bribery and Related Charges for Facilitating Thefts of Fuel in Afghanistan

Stephanie Charboneau, aka Stephanie Shankel, 34, of Fountain, Colo., formerly a Specialist in the United States Army, has been indicted in the District of Colorado for her alleged role in assisting the thefts of fuel in Afghanistan and laundering the proceeds of crime.(...) The indictment alleges that Charboneau conspired with Sergeant Christopher Weaver, her supervisor, and Jonathan Hightower, a civilian employee of FLUOR Inc., to facilitate the theft of fuel for money. More on the DOJ website. Fluor Corp. (NYSE: FLR)(FLR:New York), is a Global Compact participant since 2010/03/10. The company was a Gold participant of the Global Compact Foundation in 2011 and 2010. Fluor also signed the CEO Letter on UN Convention against Corruption in 2009.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Philips to Pay $4.5 Million To Settle FCPA Allegations

Dutch electronics giant Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV (PHG, PHIA.AE) agreed to pay U.S. regulators $4.5 million to resolve allegations of foreign bribery, a spokeswoman said. Read more: on Fox Business. Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. is a Global Compact participant since 2007/03/06. Philips Electronics (PHIA:EN Amsterdam), (PHG) was a Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2012, 2011.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Anheuser-Busch Discloses India Foreign Corruption Probe by SEC

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (ABI)’s India joint venture is being investigated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. More on Bloomberg. Read the 20-F form from the SEC website. Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (ABI:EN Brussels) INT, AHBIF, (NYSE: BUD), is a Global Compact participant since 2005/01/17.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Enbridge Kalamazoo River Oil Spill: Company Ordered Finish Clean Up, Dredge River

More than two and a half years after a Canadian pipeline rupture spilled heavy oil into a Michigan River, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is ordering Calgary-based Enbridge (TSX:ENB) to perform additional dredging to remove submerged oil. The agency said it has repeatedly found oil in sections of the Kalamazoo River. More on the Huffington Post Canada. Read also our previous post. Enbridge (ENB:Toronto), (ENB:TSX) has been a Global Compact participant since 2003/12/16. Enbridge was a Gold Contributor (10000 USD) to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011 and 2012.

$2.25M penalty for Missouri pharmaceuticals plant

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. will pay a $2.25 million penalty for violations that included allowing fluorescent green discharge into a river at its plant in northeast Missouri, state and federal officials said Thursday. More on Bloomberg. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd is a Global Compact participant since 2010/03/01.

HSBC faces new money laundering claims in Argentina

Banking giant HSBC, which was hit with a US fine for money laundering last year, is facing fresh accusations of illegal activity in Argentina. More on the BBC website. HSBC is a Global Compact participant since 2000/11/27. HSBC (LSE:HSBA) was a Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011 and 2012.

Embraer expands investigation

The world's third largest commercial aircraft manufacturer said its FCPA investigation has expanded to two more countries. In 2010, Brazil-based Embraer S.A. disclosed an investigation focused on three countries. More on FCPA blog. Read Embraer's SEC statement in its 6-K form. It disclosed a SEC Subpoena in November 2011. Embraer (EMBR3:BM&FBOVESPA) (ERJ) is a Global Compact participant since 2008/06/16. Embraer was a Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Temporary Worker Killed at Bacardi Bottling, OSHA Says Company Failed to Train

OSHA has cited Bacardi Bottling in Jacksonville, Fla., with willful and serious violations following the death of a temporary worker during his first day at work. Proposed penalties for the violations total $192,000. More on EHS Today. Another alternative source from the U.S. Departement of Labor. Bacardi Bottling is a subsidiary of Bermuda-based Bacardi Limited. Bacardi Limited(BACDA) is a Global Compact participant since 2008/07/28. Bacardi Limited was a Gold contributor (USD 10,000) to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2012 and 2011.

Unilever's labour practices in Vietnam found wanting by Oxfam report

A new report that reveals evidence of poor labour practices in Unilever's operations in Vietnam between 2011 and 2012 is the latest in a long line of collaborations between Oxfam and the food and consumer goods manufacturer. Read more on the Guardian Sustainable Business blog. Unilever Vietnam (ULVR.L)(NYSE: UL)(UNA:EN Amsterdam) is a Global Compact participant since 2008/04/24. Unilever was a LEAD contributor (LEAD: USD $65,000 +) to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2012 and USD 10,000 contributor in 2010, 2009 and 2007.

Komatsu fined $82,000 for 'serious violations' before worker death

Federal inspectors have charged Komatsu with safety violations and proposed an $82,000 fine in connection with a fatal workplace accident in August. More on pjstar.com Komatsu Ltd. (KMTUF)(KMTUY) is a Global Compact participant since 2008/11/07.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

SEC Charges Germany-Based Allianz SE with FCPA Violations

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Germany-based insurance and asset management company Allianz SE with violating the books and records and internal controls provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for improper payments to government officials in Indonesia during a seven-year period. More on menafn.com. Allianz (ALV:Xetra)(ALV:GR)(AZSEY) is a Global Compact participant since 2002/07/02. Allianz was a Gold Contributor (USD 10,000) to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2012, 2011 and 2010.

California sues oil company for environmental violations

State Attorney General Kamala Harris is going after Arco and its parent company BP. In a lawsuit filed Monday, the state attorney general and seven counties are accusing the oil company of violating regulations designed to protect the environment. More on ABC7 News. British Petroleum plc (NYSE:BP)(LSE:BP) (BP) is a Global Compact participant and founding father since 2000/07/26. BP Plc was also a Gold Contributor of the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2012.

Barrick Gold Corporation Mines Fined For The Release Of Toxic Chemicals In Nevada

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered three northern Nevada gold mines to pay a total of $618,000 for failing to report the release of toxic chemicals, including cyanide, lead and mercury from 2005-08. All three mines are subsidiaries of the Toronto-based Barrick Gold Corp. More on Huffington. Barrick Gold Corp. NYSE: ABX,(TSX: ABX), (ABX:New York) is a Global Compact participant since 2005/06/02.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Halliburton bribe: Paris court sentences Technip executives for bribing Nigerian officials

While no Nigerian official implicated in the $180 million (N27 billion) Halliburton bribery scam has been convicted, a Paris court, Friday, sentenced two former executives of French engineering and construction giant, Technip S.A, for their role in the scam.

More on  The Premium Times.

Technip (TEC:EN Paris),(TEC:FP),(PINX:TKPPY) has been a Global Compact participant since 2002/10/14.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Carrefour fined over unpaid breaks

SUPERMARKET chain Carrefour has been ordered to pay some of its staff for rest breaks, after a long legal battle in the north of France. Some 540 staff at local branches of Carrefour Market had taken their case to the appeal court, claiming that they were being paid less than the legal minimum wage once compulsory breaks were taken into account. More on The Connexion. Carrefour S.A. (CA.PA)(EPA:CA)(CA:EN Paris) has been a Global Compact participant since 2001/05/04.

EPA cites Shell Arctic drilling rigs for air emissions violations

Adding to the troubles plaguing Shell Alaska and its drilling program in the Arctic, the Environmental Protection Agency announced late Thursday that it had issued air pollution citations to both of the company’s Arctic drilling rigs for “multiple permit violations” during the 2012 drilling season. More on The Los Angeles Times. Royal Dutch Shell plc is a founding fathers of the U.N. Global Compact and participant since 2000/07/26. Shell (RDSA:LSE) was a 'Platinum Contributor' of the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2010 and LEAD contributor (USD $65,000+) in 2012.

UK bank to pay $327 million fine for money laundering

Standard Chartered Bank has agreed to pay $327 million to settle federal and New York charges it laundered money on behalf of four countries that were subject to U.S. economic sanctions from 2001 through 2007. More on The Star.com. Standard Charter Bank PLC(STAN:London)(STAN.L)(STAN:LN), has been a Global Compact participant since 10-12-2001.