Read the final statement issued by the Brazilian NCP – 10 August 2015

In November 2010, the Brazilian NCP received a submission by the trade union Unified Workers' Central (CUT) on behalf of the Food Industries Workers Union of Mogi Mirim (STIAAMM) alleging that Unilever did not observed the Guidelines in Brazil.

More specifically, the submission alleged that Unilever Brasil Alimentos Ltda closed a factory in São Paulo state abruptly on 2 September, 2010, dismissing employees without making an official communication to the trade union, the Municipality or the Ministry of Labor.

On 14 September 2012, the Brazilian NCP accepted this specific instance for further examination.

The NCP offered its mediation services which both parties accepted. The meeting was held on 2 June 2015 with representatives of the submitters, the NCP and the STIAAMM. Unilever did not attend the agreed mediation meeting and proposed a new meeting. The submitters presented a list of the names of 47 workers that had been dismissed and that had not received the necessary documents to request social security benefits. The submitters, requested clarifications from the company about the situation.  The company told the NCP that a phone service was at the disposal of the workers to answer their requests.

The NCP concluded that it could not provide additional support to the resolution of the issues raised.

Nevertheless, it recommended that Unilever enhance its openness to dialogue as a way of strengthening worker relations and continue to develop responsible business conduct policies and practice to align with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

On 10 August 2015, the NCP released a final statement concluding the specific instance.