"BSCI and its Participants Take Action in Support of Andy Hall", 18 Aug 2015

BSCI has joined an international movement in support of human rights activist Andy Hall by asking its participating companies to use their influence and request Natural Fruit Co. and subsidiaries to drop the charges against Mr. Hall...BSCI believes that cooperation, and not litigation, is the solution and that the right to freedom of speech should be respected and recognised to all organisations, in particular those working to protect human rights and improve labour conditions. When the trial began in September 2014, BSCI called on Natural Fruit to drop its court case and pursue more constructive means of resolving issues with stakeholders, as well as concrete efforts to improve working conditions. Since the publication of Mr. Hall’s 2013 report by Finnwatch...BSCI and its participants have engaged in positive dialogue with this organisation in order to take steps towards addressing the labour issues identified. Such a valuable relationship with stakeholders and with the actors involved in the supply chain is fundamental to increase transparency around labour issues, build trust and achieve long-term improvements. Building on this long cooperation and in support of Finnwatch’s campaign to stop prosecution of Mr. Hall, BSCI has requested all participants sourcing from Thailand to check their list of suppliers and sub-suppliers and request any subsidiary of Natural Fruit Co. to immediately drop the charges.  BSCI also urged participants to contact any related producer that is a member of the Thai Pineapple Industry Association (TPIA), of which Natural Fruit Co. is President and request that charges be dropped. In the matter of this case, TPIA has previously threatened NGOs with further lawsuits.