Former CEO of Norway's Yara indicted on corruption charges

The former chief executive of Norway's Yara International(YAR.OL), Thorleif Enger, has been indicted on corruption charges after a cross-border bribery investigation by the police's economic crime unit, his lawyer said on Thursday. More on Reuters. Yara International ASA (YAR:Oslo Bors)(YAR.OL)PINX:YARIY is a Global Compact participant since 2006/02/03. In 2012, 2011 and 2010, Yara International ASA was a Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact.

Novartis Accused of Paying Kickbacks for Exjade Sales

A Novartis AG (NOVN) unit was accused by the U.S. and a group of states of paying kickbacks to a specialty pharmacy to boost sales of Exjade, an iron-control drug that can cause kidney and liver failure. More on Bloomberg. 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 2013 and 2012, and a USD 10,000 contributor in 2010. In 2009, Novartis International AG signed the UN Global Compact's CEO Letter against Corruption!

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.

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.

Credit Suisse paid 18.9 million francs in compensation

Credit Suisse has paid 18.9 million swiss francs to the canton of Zurich (BVK) pension fund compensation to close an alleged corruption case through extrajudicial settlement. One of the main defendants is a former bank employee who allegedly manipulated share prices from a local canton between 1999 and 2003. More on Le Matin (French) Credit Suisse (CSGN:SIX) , (CS:New York) is a Global Compact participant since 2000/07/26 and thus considered as one of its Founding Fathers. The bank was a Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2010 and 2011.

Nestlé subsidiary facing fine after worker's death

A Nestlé subsidiary is facing fines of almost three quarters of a million dollars following the death of a worker at its Massachusetts production plant. More on Food Production Daily. Nestle is a Global Compact participant since 2001/02/20. Nestle was a Gold Contributor of the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2009 and 2010.

Syngenta agrees to settle US suit over herbicide

Swiss chemicals maker Syngenta's agreement to pay $105 million to settle a nearly 8-year-old lawsuit over one of its popular agricultural herbicides could help reimburse nearly 2,000 community water systems that have had to filter the chemical from its drinking water, a plaintiffs' attorneys said Friday. Syngenta (SWF:SYNN) is a Global Compact participant since 2009/01/15. Syngenta International AG was a Gold Contributor of the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2012,2011, 2010, 2009.

Holcim (US), Inc. Agrees to Pay $36,500 Penalty for Clean Water Act Violations in Florence, Colorado

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has entered into a Combined Complaint and Consent Agreement (CCCA) with Holcim (US), Inc. (Holcim) in response to alleged violations of the Clean Water Act at its limestone and silica quarry and Portland cement plant located in Florence, Fremont County, Colorado. Read the official EPA press release. Holcim (US) is a subsidiary of Swiss Holcim Ltd. (HOLN:SIX), a Global Compact participant since 2003/03/06. Holcim Ltd. was a 'Silver' Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011 and 2010.

Holcim Cement Tainted in Switzerland by Work Rights Abuses in India

The ICEM-affiliated Pragatisheel Cement Shramik Sangh (PCSS) conducted a two-week tour of activities in Switzerland that concluded, educating trade union colleagues on the grave violations of work rights abuses by Holcim Cement of contract workers in India’s Chhattisgarh region. More on the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions(ICEM) website. Holcim Ltd. (HOLN:SIX) is a Global Compact participant since 2003/03/06. It was a 'Silver' Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011 and 2010.

Possible Corruption At Swiss Joint Venture (Yara International ASA)

Norwegian fertilizer company Yara International ASA said Friday its investigation into possible corruption has now uncovered unacceptable payments from the company's joint venture in Switzerland.

Read More on 4-Traders.
Read the official press release issued by the company.

Yara International ASA is a Global Compact participant since 2006/02/03.

In 2011 and 2010, Yara International ASA was a Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact.

Holcim’s Violations in India Taken to OECD

On 12 January, the ICEM joined a complaint to the OECD submitted by the local union Pragatisheel Cement Shramik Sangh (PCSS). PCSS is a member of the ICEM global family and represents 1,500 contract workers in the state of Chhattisgarh.

The complaint focuses on a number of breaches of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises at Holcim’s cement companies. Other than the clear violation of the contract workers’ right to organise and bargain collectively, Holcim is also cited for refusing to engage in collective bargaining with PCSS, which is officially registered as the trade union representing workers at the cement installations.

More on International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions website. Holcim was a 2011 Siver Contributor of the Foundation for the Global Compact'

World Bank Debars Alstom Hydro France, Alstom Network Schweiz AG, and their Affiliates

On February 22 2012, the World Bank Group announced the debarment of Alstom Hydro France and Alstom Network Schweiz AG (Switzerland) - in addition to their affiliates - for a period of three years following Alstom’s acknowledgment of misconduct in relation to a Bank-financed hydropower project.

The debarment is part of a Negotiated Resolution Agreement between Alstom and the World Bank which also includes a restitution payment by the two companies totaling approximately $9.5 million.

Read the World Bank press release

Alstom is a Global Compact participant since 2008/03/18. It is a Member of the Working Group on the 10th Principle. Alstom was also a Gold contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011.

French firm fined RM133m for bribery in Malaysia

French engineering group Alstom was fined RM133 million by Swiss authorities after its employees were found to have bribed civil servants in at least three cases including the award of contracts in Malaysia.

More on the Malaysian Insider
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/french-firm-fined-rm133m-for-bribery-in-malaysia/

Alstom to pay €31m fine after bribery probe

Alstom has been ordered to pay €31m by Switzerland’s attorney-general for negligently failing to stop bribery by some employees...

More on the Financial Times
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1cd17286-1508-11e1-b9b8-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1eTeD0ITD


Alstom is a Global Compact participant since 2008/03/18. It is a Member of the Working Group on the 10th Principle.

A former South African minister allegedly received commissions from Thales

Mac Maharaj, a former transport minister and spokesman for the South African President Jacob Zuma, allegedly received about EUR 180,000 euros from the French firm Thales, the Sunday Times of Johannesburg said on November 20th 2011. It is said Mac Maharaj received the money before entering into a license agreement for credit cards. The funds would be wired between 1997 and 1999 on behalf of his wife through the Swiss account of Shabir Shaik, Zuma's former financial advisor.

More on the Sunday Times of Johannesburg

Thales is a Global Compact participant since 2003/06/03.

Switzerland to charge Alstom in bribery probe

Swiss authorities could charge Alstom with bribery as part of a corruption probe, French daily Le Monde reported on November 18th 2011. Read more on Reuters

Alstom is a Global Compact participant since 2008/03/18. It is also a Member of the Working Group on the 10th Principle.