5 of 7 ITUC "corporate underminers of democracy" decline to respond to alleged human rights abuse; incl. of labour, land, environmental & Indigenous Peoples' rights
In September 2024, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) named seven 'corporate underminers of democracy'. The ITUC outlined how the seven companies - Amazon.com, Blackstone, ExxonMobil, Glencore, Meta, Tesla and Vanguard - allegedly utilise their own operations, supply chains and investments to undermine democracy and commit human rights abuse. Details of the concerns associated with each company can be read on the ITUC's website.
This is about power, who has it, and who sets the agenda. We know as trade unionists that unless we’re organized, the boss sets the agenda in the workplace, and we know as citizens in our countries that unless we’re organized and demanding responsive governments that actually meet the needs of people, it’s corporate power that’s going to set the agenda.Todd Brogan, director of campaigns and organizing at the ITUC
The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre contacted all seven companies to seek a response to the claims. Despite the range of serious allegations at a time of deep concern for the state of democracy worldwide, only two of the seven companies provided a response to the ITUC's claims. While not responding directly to the allegations outlined by the ITUC, Glencore pointed to information on its ethics and compliance programme.
Meta responded, noting the ITUC's statement that, “The ITUC’s view that the root cause of the crisis facing democracy is “the prevailing neoliberal, corporate-dominated global economy.” It outlined its commitment to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights (UNGPs) and referred to its 2022 Human Rights Salient Risk Assessment and accompanying suite of policies.