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.

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.

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.

Hindustan Zinc, Ambuja Ordered to Pay Clean-Energy Fines

Hindustan Zinc Ltd. among 16 other company was ordered to pay a fine for not complying with a government order asking company to purchase renewable energy quotas. More on Bloomberg. Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZ:Natl India) is a Global Compact participant since 2005/11/11.

Agrium to pay $420K fine in worker's death

The potash company Agrium will pay a $420,000 fine in relation to the death of one of its workers. The company has pleaded guilty to failing to maintain a safe working environment for its employees. More on CBC News. Agrium Inc. (NYSE:AGU)(TSX:AGU) is a Global Compact participant since 2008/04/28.

ConocoPhillips, CNOOC to pay $267 million for China spill

U.S. oil firm ConocoPhillips and its partner CNOOC(NYSE:CEO) have agreed to pay 1.683 billion yuan ($266.89 million) in compensation for a series of oil spills off the coast of northern China last year. More on Yahoo/Reuters You can also read our previous post. China National Offshore Oil Corp. is a Global Compact participant since 2008/06/25. It was a Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011.

Conoco, Cnooc Parent Reach $160 Million Oil Spill Settlement

ConocoPhillips and China National Offshore Oil Corp. will pay about $160 million to compensate Chinese fishermen for losses arising from oil leaks...
More on Bloomberg-Businessweek

China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) is a Global Compact participant since 2008/06/25. CNOOC was a Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

Guard pleads guilty over prison van death [G4S - SECURICOR]

"In October 2011, a prisoner transport guard working for SECURICOR G4S, has been fined $11,000 after pleading guilty to charges laid over an Aboriginal elder's death from heatstroke in the back of a prison van. (...) In August, G4S and WA's Department of Corrective Services were fined $285,000 each for their part in Mr Ward's death after pleading guilty to failing to ensure non-employees were not exposed to hazards."

Read more on the Sydney Morning Herald website

G4S plc, previously known as Group 4 Securicor, one of the world's largest private security firm, is a Global Compact participant since 2011/02/16

Merck to Pay USD 1.5 Million Penalty for Environmental Violations at Two Pa. Pharmaceutical Plants

On September 28 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice  announced that Global Compact participant Merck & Co. has agreed to pay a USD 1.5 million civil penalty to settle alleged violations of federal environmental laws at its pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Riverside and West Point, Pennsylvania, U.S.


The complaint alleges that Merck did not comply with Clean Air Act emissions reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The complaint also asserts that Merck discharged pollutants in excess of limits in its Clean Water Act permit; failed to notify local officials of hazardous substances released; and failed to properly label and store hazardous waste.  


Read more.
from U.S. EPA

Carrefour fined over minimum wage

On June 2011, UN Global Compact participant CARREFOUR was fined EUR3.66m by a court in Evry, south-east of Paris for failing to pay some of its staff the legal minimum wage. Source