25th September 2019
Bonsucro has been informed by the UK National Contact Point (UK NCP) for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises of the publication of their Initial Assessment regarding a complaint made earlier in 2019 about Bonsucro.
The complaint is made by Inclusive Development International (IDI), Equitable Cambodia (EC) and the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO). They allege that Bonsucro Limited (Bonsucro) failed to conduct adequate due diligence and apply leverage to its member, Mitr Phol Group – Thailand (MPG-T) with regard to allegations made by the Complainants. The complainants also allege that Bonsucro does not have in place adequate human rights policy commitments and an effective grievance mechanism in line with the OECD Guidelines. Bonsucro does not accept the allegations made against it and provided a detailed response to the OECD UK NCP.
The UK NCP has decided that the Complaint is within its scope and has decided to offer to support a mediation between Bonsucro and the Complainants. This decision is made on the basis of the information offered by the Parties, and is not a finding on the merits of the Complaint. It is not a finding against Bonsucro and does not mean that the NCP considers Bonsucro has acted inconsistently with the OECD Guidelines.
Bonsucro intends to accept the offer of mediation by the OECD UK NCP and will engage positively in the process.
Bonsucro continues to engage independent, external experts in the process of review of its Code of Conduct and Grievance Mechanism to ensure alignment with the UNGP effectiveness criteria and OECD Guidelines. Bonsucro has been engaging members and other stakeholders in this process since the end of 2018. As a full ISEAL member, Bonsucro takes participatory decision-making very seriously. In accordance with best practice, Bonsucro will publish the draft revised Code of Conduct for public consultation in October 2019 and will make a further announcement at that time.
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