Find the final statement issued on 18 December 2014 by the Swiss NCP.

In January 2012, the Swiss NCP received a request for review from the trade union Pragatisheel Cement Shramik Sangh (PCSS) alleging that ACC Limited and Ambuja Cement Limited, controlled by Holcim Group, had breached the general policies, human rights, and employment and industrial relations provisions of the Guidelines in India. Later that January, the International Federation of Chemical Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Union sent a letter to the Swiss NCP in order to join the specific instance process. This Federation has since changed its name to IndustriALL Global Union.

More specifically, the trade unions alleged that the concerned cement manufacturing plants didn't treat contract workers fairly. In addition they claimed that the activities of ACC Limited and Ambuja Cement Limited do not provide for enough employment for local people and that the activities impact the human rights of the communities living around the two plants, as they affect their livelihoods

The company responded saying that they had not gone beyond the scope of the Guidelines in their treatment of workers, and works with the major unions at the plants who represent both temporary and permanent workers.

The NCP undertook an initial assessment of the specific instance and concluded that it merited further consideration. The NCP therefore offered its good offices to facilitate a dialogue between both parties with the aim of reaching a mutually acceptable outcome. The parties accepted a proposal to have the dialogue facilitated by a professional external mediator contracted by the NCP. 

Two mediation meetings took place, and the parties were willing to work towards a resolution of the issues raised. The full details of the process, the conclusions and the final recommendations of the NCP are found in their final statement, issued by the NCP upon conclusion of the specific instance.