Coca-Cola Company confirms audit of Cambodian suppliers
The Coca-Cola Company on Thursday confirmed that it has sent a team to Cambodia to assess long-running allegations of land grabbing and forced evictions at the sugar cane plantations that help sweeten the global drinks giant’s sodas. The team’s visit follows the company’s pledge in November of “zero tolerance” for land grabbing by its sugar suppliers and the launch of a social, environmental and human rights assessment of its key suppliers around the world, including Thailand, home to Mitr Phol. The Thai sugar firm owns several plantations in Cambodia accused of stealing land from hundreds of local farmers. … Oxfam’s country director in Cambodia, Chris Eijkemans, met the team of two Coca-Cola representatives and three representatives from Arche Advisors, the U.S. auditing firm helping with the assessment. The fact that Coca-Cola has sent a team to audit its suppliers in Cambodia was a good sign and a powerful symbol for other firms buying Cambodian sugar, Mr. Eijkemans said. “They are taking their commitment very seriously, and I think they have to,” he said. “You cannot announce a zero tolerance policy and do nothing.” …
Zsombor Peter
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/coca-cola-company-confirms-audit-of-cambodian-suppliers-53328/
