Following reports of alleged labor and human rights abuses at FGV mills, a Malaysian palm oil producer, we contacted LRQA/Elevate to provide a response. It's noteworthy that FGV's grievance mechanism, Suara Kami, which was supposedly developed with LRQA, has faced criticism for being "ineffective and lacking confidentiality."

We requested LRQA/ Elevate to respond to the following questions:

1. Respond to the reported allegations of the LRQA/ ELEVATE Suara Kami grievance mechanism being ineffective and lacking in confidentiality for workers reporting rights abuses at FGV and confirm whether or not the mechanism has detected the reported issues, including allegations of:
   1. Workers' passports and documentation being withheld; and,
   2. Permits not being renewed
2. Outline any steps taken to ensure the implementation of an operational level grievance mechanism at FGV in line with best practice as defined by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (Principle 31).

In response, LRQA/ Elevate said:

"LRQA is aware of recent reports which refer to the Suara Kami grievance mechanism."

"The plantations referred to in the articles did not have the Suara Kami helpline established during the time of the alleged incidents."

"LRQA’s grievance mechanisms continue to operate in line with the UN Guiding Principles of Business and Human Rights Principle 31."