8 May 2008

After snubbing previous union request for a public committment to basic union rights, Maersk looks likely to bite the bullet

A.P. Moller-Maersk has stated that it is actively considering signing up to the UN Global Compact - an inititaive for companies who commit themselves to respecting basic labour and other human rights. The annoucement came at its recent annual general meeting in Svendborg, Denmark.

For many years, A.P. Moller-Maersk has declined to refer to ILO conventions and basic labour rights in written policies and has chosen not to join the Global Compact – unlike many other leading transnational companies in Denmark

At its 2006 AGM Maersk turned down a proposal from the US Teamsters that it make the respect of basic ILO conventions a part of the company’s code of conduct. Since then, times have changed.

Maersk’s chairman Michael Pram Rasmussen said: “In order to make our business principles clearer, we are thinking about joining the UN Global Compact. We have worked our way into the issue for some years now. There has been a consideration about the degree of reporting, though. We want to make sure that we can live up to it, if we chose to join the initiative.”

The ITF Maersk Union Network welcomed the news. Its coordinator, Henrik Berlau, said: “We look positively on this step, as Maersk  – with global business and different nationalities among employees – in the future will act with human rights in mind, no matter where they do business. We are certain that A.P. Moller-Maersk can live up to the standards, that are set to be part of this important frame work.”

Over 4,000 companies worldwide have signed up to the Compact. They commit themselves to aligning their operations and strategies with 10 universal principles on labour rights, human rights, the environment and anti-corruption.

More information
UN Global Compact: www.unglobalcompact.org/AboutTheGC/index.html