The short report published by Traidcraft Exchange looks at how the UK plantation company Equatorial Palm Oil have grabbed land in Liberia through illegal and sometimes violent means, leaving communities without land and livelihoods. The report calls on the UK government to introduce a law that would mandate companies to publish an assessment of their human rights and environmental risks, and holds those companies to account in UK courts for any harms that do occur. Information can be found on their campaign website where the report is available to download.
"Current UK laws aren't protecting people or the planet."
New polling released this week shows that public trust in the actions of British companies in developing countries has plummeted in the past five years. Just 35% of the British public trust British companies operating in developing countries to treat workers and local communities fairly. That’s according to a new poll carried out by Populus on behalf of international development charity Traidcraft Exchange.
This compares to 62% when Populus asked the same question in August 2014.
Tom Wills, Senior Policy Adviser for Traidcraft Exchange, said: “The drop in trust may well reflect the scores of allegations of human rights abuses in the last few years against British companies operating abroad.”
A new report from Traidcraft Exchange outlines charges by communities in Liberia who claim that their land was grabbed without full compensation or proper process by UK-listed company Equatorial Palm Oil. Many were left without the means to earn a living, reduced to squatters on land they had owned for generations.
Tom Wills went on: “The people we spoke to in Liberia told us how they had suffered at the hands of this UK-listed company. But we’re aware that this is just one instance and there are many other similar situations in other poor countries. British companies mustn’t be allowed to get away with these abuses anymore.”
Traidcraft Exchange’s polling also revealed that 3 in 4 members of the British public want the government to do more to ensure companies don’t cause harm through their operations.
Tom Wills explained: “New legislation is needed that requires British companies to take action to prevent these kinds of abuses and hold them to account if they fail. It would respond to public concern – and provide a level playing field for businesses which do play by the rules.”
“Other countries have started to introduce these human rights and environmental ‘due diligence’ requirements. It’s time for the UK to catch up,” Tom Wills concluded.
The new research came as the Prime Minister hosted businesses, governments and international institutions for a UK-Africa Investment Summit in London on 20 January.