Adopt Human Rights Policies

2004 – Colgate-Palmolive Company

                                   

 

Whereas, Colgate-Palmolive Company, currently has extensive overseas operations, and

 

Whereas, reports of human rights abuses in the overseas subsidiaries and suppliers of U.S.-based corporations has led to an increased public awareness of the problems of child labor, “sweatshop” conditions, and the denial of labor rights in U.S. corporate overseas operations, and

 

Whereas, corporate violations of human rights in these overseas operations can lead to negative publicity, public protests, and a loss of consumer confidence which can have a negative impact on shareholder value, and

 

Whereas, a number of corporations have implemented independent monitoring programs with respected human rights and religious organizations to strengthen compliance with international human rights norms in subsidiary and supplier factories, and

 

Whereas, many of these programs incorporate the conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) on workplace human rights which include the following principles:

 

1.                   All workers have the right to form and join trade unions and to

bargain collectively.  (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98).

 

2.         Workers' representatives shall not be the subject of discrimination and shall have access to all workplaces necessary to enable them to carry out their representation functions.  (ILO) Convention 135)

 

3.         There shall be no discrimination or intimidation in employment.  Equality of opportunity and treatment shall be provided regardless of race, color, sex, religion, political opinion, age, nationality, social origin or other distinguishing characteristics.  (ILO Convention 100 and 111).

 

4.         Employment shall be freely chosen.  There shall be no use of force, including bonded or prison labor.  (ILO Convention 29 and 105).

 

5.         There shall be no use of child labor.  (ILO Convention 138), and,

 

Whereas, independent monitoring of corporate adherence to these internationally recognized principles is essential if consumer and investor confidence in our company’s commitment to human rights is to be maintained,

 

Therefore, be it resolved that the shareholders request the Board of Directors to commit the company to the full implementation of these human rights standards by its international suppliers and in its own international production facilities and commit to a program of outside, independent monitoring of compliance with these standards.                                                                                 

 



Sponsors:

Lead: State of Connecticut Treasurer's Office, Pamela Bartol; Christian Brothers Investment Services