Mondelez International has refused to comment on union claims in the UK of “human rights abuses” at some of the snacks giant’s operations in north Africa.
UK union Unite yesterday claimed the Cadbury owner was linked to the “sacking” of five union officials in Egypt, and the dismissal of a worker who spoke out after getting injured in one of its plants in the country. Unite also claimed Mondelez has “locked out legitimate trade unions” at sites in Egypt and Tunisia.
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Mondelez told just-food today it could not comment directly on the claims of dismissals in Egypt. “As we are subject to legal proceedings in Egypt, we can’t comment on that situation in detail. However, in all our operations around the world, Mondelez International values its employees and takes pride in the consistent efforts made to provide a fair, safe, healthy and rewarding work environment for all our colleagues. We strive to enhance employee benefits, in ways that often exceed local labour market requirements, in every respect,” it said.
“As part of this commitment, we strongly respect our employees’ freedom of association and right to collective bargaining, and recognise them as fundamental international labour rights. We do this by acting in good faith and in strict compliance with local laws and regulations, in spirit and in letter.”
Today, Unite and the International Union of Food Workers will host a reception in Birmingham, not far from Cadbury’s flagship Bournville site to “highlight their concerns” with Mondelez. Two of the supposedly sacked union workers from Egypt will be present.
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