Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hinders Investigation of Huge Dutch Corruption Affair
The daily Telegraaf wrote that the investigation of the Justice Department into the corruption accusations against the Dutch building firm Ballast-Nedam concerning work in Saudi Arabia is hindered by the Foreign Affairs department. The essence of the corruption affair is the payment of hundreds of millions of Euros of bribes to Arab officials in exchange for building contracts.
The building firm was allegedly helped by the major auditing firm KPMG. According to the Telegraaf, Ballast-Nedam paid bribes of about $500 million via Swiss number accounts to Saudi Arabian officials at the highest level between 1996 and 2003. In 2012, Ballast-Nedam paid $17.5 million to avoid being prosecuted in the Netherlands.
Yet, the prosecution of individuals, including former board members, continues. Minister Frans Timmermans (Labor Party) of Foreign Affairs said that he knows nothing about the issue.
Via: BadNewsfromTheNetherlands and Telegraaf.nl
NGO: Finnish design made in Thai sweatshop conditions
Design companies Marimekko and Fiskars Iittala say that measures are underway to correct the problems at a glassworks near Bangkok.
The Finnwatch monitoring group has issued a report detailing poor working conditions at a glass factory in Thailand that produces goods for two prestigious Finnish design companies, Marimekko and Fiskars Iittala.
The report found that working conditions in the plant were extremely hot and that workers were not given sufficient protective equipment, breaks or overtime pay.
Fiskars had given notice of work-safety problems to plant management, but without effect. Marimekko commissioned an inspection by the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), which gave it poor marks. Finnwatch says Marimekko tried to conceal this information. The BSCI was set up this year by the European Foreign Trade Association.
Scars indicate poor protection
Finnwatch inspected the factory near Bangkok during the past summer and autumn and confirmed that it does not meet BSCI standards. The NGO concludes that the companies chose the facility because manufacturing there is cheaper – due to lax standards. The factory has about 175 employees.
Most of the glassblowers did not have protective goggles or other protective gear while handling hot glass. As a result, many have scars on their arms.
