Transnational companies

WDM has also run one-off campaigns on individual transnational companies (TNCs) in support of communities or workers in poor countries. Companies included Disney, Nestlé, Rio-Tinto, Shell and P&O.

Disney sweatshop demo

Mining - Rio Tinto (formerly RTZ) 1996 - 1999

Background

The Grasberg opencast mine lies in the forested hills of West Papua and exploits gold and copper deposits that are amongst the largest in the world.  The mine is operated by an Indonesian subsidiary of the US company Freeport McMoran, in which Rio Tinto has a significant share.  The company has transformed the rainforest into a vast complex of mines, roads, towns and the world's longest tramway.  But local people have not benefited.  Instead, they have seen their hunting ground taken over, their rivers polluted and their sacred mountain ravaged.  They were neither consulted nor given adequate compensation.  Hundreds of people were displaced by the first mine site and have been resettled in a crowded and unhealthy township. 

Campaign

Since March 1996, WDM, together with Partizans, TAPOL and Survival, has worked with the Amungme people in West Papua, Indonesia, for consultation and adequate compensation for the indigenous people whose land was taken for mining by Rio Tinto (& Freeport McMoran).  WDM met with the company and arranged meetings with West Papuans, pressed institutional shareholders to raise the issue with the board, and participated in AGM actions. 

The company has introduced new social responsibility and environmental policies, but this has not translated into changes on the ground.

For further information on the current campaign please contact:
Mines and Communities http://www.minesandcommunities.org/
or
Survival International http://www.survival-international.org

Disney 1997

Background

Despite having adopted a code of conduct supposedly ensuring workers’ rights, research showed that workers making Disney garments in Haiti are still not benefiting from the company’s promises.  Workers receive paltry wages - often too little to feed their families - and face intimidation or even dismissal for trying to raise concerns by joining  trade unions.

Campaign

In 1997 WDM joined the Haiti Support groups and the GMB union in supporting the Haitian workers’ struggle, calling on Disney to improve working conditions in factories in Haiti and worldwide, in particular urging Disney to implement its own code of conduct, recognise workers' organisations and pay all of its workers a living wage. Batay Ouvriye, the grassroots union operating in Haiti, has requested a halt on international campaigning for the present.

Nestle 1998

Background

Nestle and other companies continue to violate the International Code of Marketing of breast milk substitutes, agreed in 1981 by 118 countries, as well as flouting subsequent resolutions of the World Health Assembly.  The marketing code aims to protect infant health by controlling the marketing of artificial milks and other baby foods, which replace breast milk.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 1.5 million infants die around the world every year because they are not breastfed, especially as a result of diarrhoea caused by unsafe water used to mix feeds or wash bottles.

Campaign

WDM supports Baby Milk Action in the campaign to stop Nestle and other baby milk companies breaching the WHO guidelines on marketing of baby milk.

For further information on the current campaign, please contact:

Shell 1997 - 1998

Background

Shell has faced international condemnation for the environmental and human rights consequences of its operations in Ogoniland, Nigeria.  The lands of the Ogoni and other tribes have been polluted through the flaring of gas and multiple oil spills. Opposition to the operations was met with violent suppression by the army.  Local people were not properly consulted beforehand and most did not benefit from the operations.

Campaign

Since early 1997 WDM has supported the campaign pressing for Shell to make improvements in their company policy.  This includes supporting the shareholder resolution at Shell's 1997 AGM and supporting MOSOP, the Ogoni people's organisation, who believe that little has changed on the ground and that Shell's recent concern for the environment is just PR.

For further information on the current campaign please contact:

P&O 1998

Background

The shipping giant P&O planned to build a passenger and cargo port eight times the size of Liverpool across an area known as the 'lungs of Bombay'.  It is one of only three sites in the whole of India to have been designated an ‘ecologically fragile area’ and is protected by Indian national law.  The port – potentially one of the largest anywhere in the world – would have destroyed the lands and livelihoods of local communities, including fishermen and the Warli tribe.

Campaign

WDM supported the strong local campaign in India to stop P&O taking their lands.  In October 1998, P&O announced that it would not go ahead with the scheme to build the port.

Premier Oil 1998

Background

By investing in an oil pipeline in Burma against the wishes of the democratically elected majority (who have been prevented from taking power), Premier Oil is bolstering a repressive military regime. At least one million people are estimated to have been displaced within the country, whilst more than 100,000 refugees have fled to Thailand.  The military regime has forced an estimated two million men, women and children to work on infrastructure projects such as roads, railways and tourist sites, seriously abusing workers’ rights and violating international conventions.

Campaign

WDM has worked with the Burma Campaign UK to support the call for all foreign companies to disinvest in Burma.

For further information on the current campaign please contact: