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.

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.

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.