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POSCO’s mine and steelplant in breach of OECD guidelines – CSOs file complaint

Source: OECD Watch

The complaint filed by Lok Shakti Abhiyan and supporting coalitions in S. Korea, Netherlands, and Norway concerns POSCOs failure to seek to prevent human rights abuses and carry out comprehensive human rights and environmental studies for its proposed iron mine, steelworks plant and associated infrastructure in the State of Odisha, India in violation of OECD Guidelines.

Complainants allege that POSCOs efforts to construct a 12 million tons per annum integrated steelworks plant, captive power plant, captive port and other related infrastructure in the Jagatsinghpur District will lead to the physical and economic displacement of more than 20,000 of people, including individuals who have special legal protections under the Scheduled Tribes or Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Complainants maintain POSCO has failed to conduct comprehensive human rights and environmental due diligence and has not engaged in meaningful stakeholder consultation with all affected communities to identify the full scope and severity of human rights, social and environmental impacts. Complainants fear that POSCOs failure to conduct due diligence will mean the company will be incapable of preventing or mitigating significant adverse impacts on thousands of people and the environment should its proposed project proceed.

The complainants also call on the Dutch pension fund ABP and the Norwegian Government Pension Fund – Global to seek to prevent or mitigate the real and potential adverse impacts directly linked to their operations through their financial relationships with POSCO.

About OECD Watch

OECD Watch is an international network of civil society organisations from around the world promoting corporate accountability. OECD Watch represents a diverse range of civil society organisations working on human rights, labour rights, consumer rights, transparency, the environment and sustainable development.

More information on this case is here

2 comments

  1. On virginia ellsmore said:

    We in the Southern Highlands of N.S.W.Australia are fighting POSCO (HUME COAL).One of the most beautiful areas in Australia and the water catchment for Sydney in under threat.POSCO has taken a local farmer to court to gain access over his land.Foreign company takes Australian farmer to court to destroy his land with the approval of the Government.I say no more

  2. On brousse said:

    coal+posco=devil