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Scottish Parliament to lead the world re ethical procurement and investment?
Scottish Parliament to lead the world re ethical procurement and investment? MSP queries purchase of Coca-Cola products and investment in Zimbabwe.
Dr Bill Wilson, SNP MSP for the West of Scotland, today announced that he had written to the Scottish Parliament’s Head of Purchasing, Lynn Garvie, asking her to evaluate comedian and activist Mark Thomas’ accusations against the Coca-Cola Company and their bearing on the Scottish Parliament’s “Ethical Sourcing” policy.
Dr Wilson said, “If a fraction of the allegations made by Mr Thomas in his recently published book, ‘Belching out the Devil’, are true then the Scottish Parliament should boycott Coca-Cola if it is to comply with its own procurement policies.
“Mr Thomas portrays Coca-Cola as an unscrupulous exploiter — indirectly using child labour, putting down trade unionists in the most brutal and ruthless ways, paying miserable wages and despoiling the environment, all in an attempt to maximise profits.
“He also highlights the company’s vast advertising budget and the efforts it makes to present itself as a decent entity — cynical and hypocritical efforts if he is to be believed.”
Dr Wilson went on to say, “As the elected representatives of the Scottish people I believe that MSPs should lead the way with regard to ethical procurement and investment.
“It was for this reason that I wrote to Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of Zimbabwe’s Movement for Democratic Change, requesting his opinion regarding MSPs’ pensions being invested in companies that might be propping up the Mugabe regime. I believe my original letter, sent in July, may not have reached him so I have made arrangements to have a copy put into his hands in the next few days.
“I look forward to the responses of both Mr Tsvangirai and Ms Garvie, and I hope my fellow MSPs will join me in considering these matters. There is no reason why Scotland, led by its Parliament, should not be an example to the world with regard to international and corporate responsibility. We may be a small country but we could be a powerful force for the good.”
Notes to Editors
1. Dr Wilson’s letter to the Scottish Parliament’s Head of Purchasing
Dear Ms Garvie
Mark Thomas has made serious allegations against the Coca-Cola Company in his book, "Belching out the Devil, Global Adventures with Coca-Cola". I am formally requesting you to evaluate these allegations with regard to their bearing on the Scottish Parliament's Procurement Policy, specifically Section 6.2 relating to Ethical Sourcing criteria:
6.2.1 The scope for social and ethical issues in procurement is vast. Purchasers should consider the following areas that are generally considered as social and ethical issues that are not mentioned elsewhere within this Chapter:
• Employment is freely chosen
• Freedom of association
• Child labour shall not be used
• Living wages are paid
• Working hours are not excessive
• Fair treatment of employees
• Employment relationship (legal and contractual obligations)
If there is any credibility in Mr Thomas' allegations then the Coca-Cola Company is in breach of several (if not all) of the above and the Scottish Parliament has a duty to insist that its subcontractors do not supply any Coca-Cola products (such as the Minute-Maid drinks currently available in the staff canteen). I am happy to lend you a copy of the book, if necessary.
I thank you for looking into this and look forward to your response.
Aefauldlie
Dr. Bill Wilson MSP
2. Mark Thomas’ book
http://www.markthomasinfo.com/
3. Press release re MSPs’ pensions, Anglo American and investment in Zimbabwe
http://www.billwilsonmsp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=265&Itemid=2
Author : Bill Wilson MSP
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