Scandia Steel to review cooperation with Belarusian Steel Works over violations of workers' rights
Non-governmental organizations and the Belarusian diaspora have appealed to BSW customers, including Scandia Steel Baltic, part of the Swedish company Scandia Steel, about violations of workers’ rights at its supplier and compliance with their ethical rules.
In a response letter to the Professional Union of Belarusians in the UK (PUBB), Scandia Steel stated that “we take all allegations of human rights violations seriously, whether concerning our own operations or our business relationships. We share your caution about worker relations.”
The board of directors considered the matter and decided to “phase out BSW as a supplier and suspend future product orders.”
Earlier, the French company Michelin also promised to consider violations of workers’ rights at the Belarusian Steel Works. The company addressed the French and European organizations regarding human rights issues at the Belarusian enterprise, the company’s response to the Union of Belarusians in Britain states.
The company also plans to independently verify workers’ rights and interview workers dismissed from BSW, including those who tried to create an independent trade union.
Michelin said that in case of a negative conclusion, it would consider terminating its relationship with BSW.
