Unilever and Coke: Impact on the Environment and Workers

Unilever and Coke: Impact on the Environment and Workers A multinational corporation or MNC is a large joint stock company or a firm that has operations and assets in at least one foreign country other than its home country. They are characterized by having multi product portfolio, worldwide market, selling billions of worth goods services, large consumer base, worldwide competitors, global perspective, large RD base, employing thousands of workers globally, with only one motive i.e. Profit making. According to recent statistics the combined sales of top 200 MNC’s were around 28% of world’s GDP. Least developing country, or LDC’s, symbolise the weakest section of the international economic community comprising of almost 12% of world population, about 880 million people, accounting for only 2% world GDP 1% global trade (UN-OHRLLS). These countries are lacking in infrastructure, have poor economy inadequate industrial base, large population below poverty line. As per the 2012 UN list, there are 48 least developed coun tries in the world with countries like Africa, Latin America being a part of the list. A multinational companies’ primary motive is to reap profits by employing cheaper, efficient and reliable resources, for which LDC’s or developing economies are ideal as they are economically weak, burdened by unemployment, debt and structural instability. To woo these investors and bring in FDI, the governments lower trade restrictions and give a free reign to the country’s resources to boost their weak economy. While MNC’S are perceived as a positive force that bring employment, economic growth, better technology living standards in the developing economies, but their greed for profit maximisation has led them to exploit the natural resources, human resource, and environment of these developing countries. Coke and its Impact on India’s Economy, Natural resource (water), Environment India’s Reliance on Coke: The worldwide markets in 1990’s for soft drinks industry was shrinking and Coca Cola faced a shrinking market in the US and EU as the western consumer got more health conscious and started banning such products. The market focus shifted to India as it was a developing market with a large middle class population base. Coke returned back to India in 1993 and invested more than 1 billion US$ in 10 years’ time making it the country’s top international investor. With a record growth of â€Å"16% sales volume in India in 2012, 59 bottling operations, 21 contract packers manufacturers, 700,000 retail outlets†, (The Coca-Cola Company) Coke has created millions of jobs through its contract manufacturing, procurement, supply, and distribution networks. The company plans to â€Å"invest another $5 billion† to double its revenue and volume by 2020 making it one of the most promising MNC to boost the Indian economy. (The Coca-Col a Company) Access to natural Resources: Coca Cola, the American multinational invested in India to reap heavy profits and gets access to cheap ground water, low extraction and labour cost. Coca-Cola extracts about 2.5 million litres of water/day, equivalent to meet the basic needs of 100,000 residents every day (India Resource Centre).The use of ground water for bottling Coke and its products in various regions in India has led to drought leading to inability of farmers to continue farming. Indians face extreme water shortages due to unequal distribution of water and also because it’s a highly agrarian economy where 70% people rely on agriculture (Srivastava, 2008). Coke’s plant in Kala Dera, Rajasthan, has caused severe water shortages resulting in depletion of groundwater levels. TERI (The Energy Resources Institute), India’s largest NGO, in its report in 2008 said that in the peak summer months of its production, the plant accounted for using 8% of water extraction with in 2 km radius of the plant making it non-sustainable. Another bottling plant in Kerala, Palakkad, draws 1.5 million litres of water daily (Arjun Sen, The Statesman) resulting in drying up of irrigation wells and producing thousands of gallons of toxic sludge (BBC). Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited (HCCBPL), the bottling partner of Coke India, has a plant near Mehdiganj, UP. The plant’s annual requirement is 50,000 cubic metres of water, and uses 2 bore wells of depths 103 and 137 meters, drawing almost 12,290 cubic meters/month of water during its peak season (Central Groundwater Authority, India). As part of ‘Replenishment Policy’, the company has initiated 400 rainwater harvesting projects to restore groundwater resources, provide potable water to over 100 schools, restored traditional water bodies and is pioneering sustainable agricultural practices. Coca Cola also installed Rain Water Harvesting systems in 39 SOS children’s villages in it s bid to give back the water they are using. Environmental impact – A multinationals’ primary aim is profit and utilisation of production practices that are cheap and efficient, even though they might have a negative impact on environment. The contaminated farmlands comprising of toxic-laden waste and unacceptable levels of pesticides in Coke products, leaves toxic environmental footprints in India. Coca Cola has been discharging its waste and effluent into the fields, rivers around the plant areas indiscriminately resulting in the pollution of ground water and soil, making the water of wells and hand pumps unfit for consumption. In Plachimada and Mehdiganj areas Coke distributed its waste to farmers as Fertilisers. Tests conducted by BBC found traces of cadmium and lead in the waste proving its toxicity. Coke products have been proved to have high level of pesticides including DDT, lindane and Malathion with the pesticides and insecticides averaging 0.0150 mg/l, 30 times higher than the European Economic Commissi on (EEC) limit (Pollution Monitoring Laboratory), infact Coke’s Ballia plant is located in an area with a severe contamination of arsenic in its groundwater. Coca-Cola has introduced various initiatives for sustainable supply of agricultural crops, green manufacturing and packaging practices to support the farmers in improved yields and to protect the natural resources across the supply chain. Project ‘Unnati’ in Chittoor, has piloted ultrahigh-density plantations (UHDP) in mango cultivation, to raise productivity, conserve water land resources and increase the incomes of around 25,000 small farmers covering 50,000 acres. Unilever and its Impact on Workers and Environment Impact on Workers: The Unilever can be found across 150 countries, it’s a trusted name in nutrition, hygiene and personal care. They have been in 3 key countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya). Unilever has made an employee programme called, Lamplighter employee programme to improve the fitness, nutrition, and mental health of employees. (Employee Health, Nutrition Well-being.) This programme had already been used in 30 countries, reaching 35,000 people. In 2012, they restricted Smoking for employees whilst at work due to health issues, reaching a â€Å"100% compliance by 2013† (Employee Health, Nutrition Well-being.) According to the labour act, the maximum working hours is 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Also the employers working engaged in the harvesting the oil palms need to work on Saturdays but are paid twice the daily wage for working on Saturday. The wage paid to the workers in Ghana is relatively good as their â€Å"daily minimum wage in Ghana is  ¢13,200 (about â⠀š ¬1.25)† (Enu-Kwesi). Unilever’s labour act strictly prohibits the employment of children but the Ghana Employers Association (GEA) found children working in oil palms and rubber plantations. These children confront hazards like exposure to toxic substances, sexual abuse, violence, snake bites and accidents, such as from falling fruits, and cuts. Impact on Environment: Unilever is highly dependent on the environment as the raw materials it requires directly come from nature. According to Greenpeace, Unilever drives deforestation in Borneo by buying palm oil. Unilever is clearing the countrys rainforests, threatening native people and wildlife. Borneo is very important to Unilever because of the presence of palm oil, a common ingredient used in soaps and many other personal care products. Unilever purchases â€Å"1.3 million tons of palm oil each year.† (Hance, Jeremy.) Deforestation is endangering species and resulting in climate change through greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). In Sumatra and Borneo, palm-oil expansion threatens elephants, tigers and rhinos, as well as orang-utans. (The Other Oil Spill.) However, Unilever has taken various initiatives to save the environment by reducing their emissions GHG in the atmosphere, with acts like reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport, they will achieve this by reduci ng truck mileage, employing alternative transport such as rail or ship. There has been â€Å"18% improvement in CO2 efficiency since 2010 and 7% reduction of CO2 emissions in 2013 compared to 2012.† (TARGETS PERFORMANCE.) As Unilever is the largest producer of ice cream, making their consumption of refrigerators very high, they have tried to reduce gas emissions from refrigerators by using the hydrocarbon climate friendly refrigerators. Unilever has already bought â€Å"1.5 million refrigerator, exceeding their target of 850,000 units.† (TARGETS PERFORMANCE.) Conclusion: While MNC’S are perceived as a positive force that bring employment, economic growth, better technology living standards in the developing countries, but their greed for profit maximisation has led them to exploit the natural resources, human resource, and environment of these developing countries. The overwhelming data proves that the MNC’s are indeed taking due advantage of the weak regulatory authority of these countries at the cost of human health, well-being global environment. In India, Coca Cola may claim to ‘replenish water’ but the glaring truth is reflected by drying hand pumps, bore wells, ponds low ground-water levels and the drying agricultural farms because of lack of irrigation water. The environmental initiatives taken by the company are motivated by the intent to improve the productivity and yields, rest are all side benefits. Rather than bringing in economic prosperity, Coca-Cola has managed to bring in environmental degradat ion, toxic dumping, economic and health problems in Indian communities. Similarly Unilever boasts of many environmental human initiatives but it cannot balance out the damage it’s causing to the environment and the human labour, especially children of these developing countries. Is blatant liberalisation the answer to all the problems of these developing countries? Does the blame of over exploitation lies only at the doorsteps of the MNC’s and not the local governments, who give a free reign to these MNC’s to boost their economies? Who is accountable for the human and environmental damage these companies are incurring? When will we see the real â€Å"Responsible Corporate Citizen MNC’s† that are dictated by a moral code and not just the profit mode?

What Exactly Is the American Dream

Aysia S. Bertrand What Exactly is the American Dream? The word â€Å"American Dream’’ is something that all Americans think about having every day. The â€Å"American Dream† can be used in many ways like having the dream job you always wanted, living a perfect and happy life, or owning a well money making business. Depending on how each person visualizes his or her â€Å"American Dream† determines whether he or she sees success or failure. The â€Å"American Dream† as something each individual would go through and not let anyone or anything stand in the way to achieve that dream.In my opinion the â€Å"American Dream† is like a goal. A goal one must follow to accomplish ones dream, whether it is a short or long term goal. The â€Å"American Dream† is what makes the society, because everybody is trying to make it to the top of being the best they can be. Determination, motivation, and patience can lead to a successful American Dream,â €  however, giving up, laziness, and lack of knowledge due to failure will keep one from achieving that dream.Determination is the act or an instance of making a decision. It is a choice one has to make in achieving into that â€Å"American Dream. † If it is something one must have; for example, a big time promotion of being a manager or finding a cure for cancer, then he or she should go out of their way to be successful in achieving ones â€Å"American Dream. † Motivation is the reason one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. In this case one might need motivation in achieving the â€Å"American Dream† it is an incentive.If there is somebody one really trusts or who he or she can really count on to help and motivate them in to achieving that â€Å"American Dream† then when the time has come that â€Å"American Dream† will be rewarded to he or she for their hard work all because of the motivation he or she is getting. By receiving th at â€Å"American Dream† ones need to have patience, the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. To succeed at anything one must have patience and persistence.It requires hard work, persistence and a desire for something better, by having those qualities and the desire and ambition to carry the important part of the â€Å"American Dream. † Sometimes in getting the success in the â€Å"American Dream† one must have to be patience in order for that special dream to come a reality. The â€Å"American Dream† might not come till one least expected it. The â€Å"American Dream† might come the next day or it will probably come in two years or so. One must have patience in order be successful in achieving at getting the â€Å"American Dream. Individuals who are giving up, Laziness, and lack of knowledge will lead one into failure from achieving ones dream. When giving up on anything that is trying to hel p one achieve a successful â€Å"American Dream† most likely he or she is leading into the road of failure. Giving up is not going to get an individual anywhere. If your lazy one is not going to get anything accomplish whatever that â€Å"American Dream† might be to him or her will not be fulfilled. If one is trying to get a decent job he or she is not going to sit around waiting for the job to come to them.They are going to do whatever it takes to get that â€Å"American Dream† job. Success only comes to those who prepare well and put in effort. Having lack of knowledge can stop one from achieving the â€Å"American Dream† because without having an education it is kind of hard to achieve anything in life especially if one trying is to get a good paying job. Everybody needs to be educated if one is trying to achieve the â€Å"American Dream. † Education will always be the number one key to success. Martin Luther King Jr. tates in she speech,† I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American Dream. †(691) In todays’ society, all Americans want what everyone dreams about want which is to live the â€Å"American Dream† by having a big house, dream job, and living a perfect life without stress or regrets. People think they have to be the best and have everything well organized, or they will feel that they are not getting anything accomplished in achieving the â€Å"American Dream. Similar to what is said in James A. Autry essay â€Å"If the â€Å"organization† does not exist in the minds and hearts of the people, it does not exist. No chart can fix that. An organization’s function is simple: to provide a framework, a format a context in which people can effectively use resources to accomplish their goals. † (136-137) Many Individuals should always follow the dream that t hey desire the most, follow that dream until it is accomplished.Some individuals see the â€Å"American Dream† as determining whether he or she sees his or hers as a success or failure. Determination, motivation, and patience can lead one to a successful â€Å"American Dream. † Works Cited Autry, James A. â€Å"Irrevent Thoughts About Organization Charts. † The literature of Work. Ed. Sheila E. Murphy, John G. Sperling, and John D. Murphy. Phoenix: U of Phoenix P, 1991. 136-137. Print. King, Martin Luther, Jr. â€Å"I Have a Dream. † Comp. Jean Wyrick. Steps to writing Well with Additional Readings. 8th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, 2011. 691. Print.

Prodigy and Protege Commonly Confused Words

The noun prodigy refers to a highly talented young person or to a wondrous event. The noun protà ©gà © refers to someone whose training or career is advanced by an influential person. Examples Everybody hates a prodigy, detests an old head on young shoulders. (Erasmus)​Abraham Lincoln was a protà ©gà © of Henry Clay, the Kentuckian who had orchestrated the great Missouri Compromise of 1820-21. Practice (a) Stephen Sondheim, a _____ of Oscar Hammerstein II, composed the lyrics for West Side Story and Gypsy.(b) Gary Burton, the one-time teenage _____, is still an astonishing master of the vibes after 40 years. Answers (a) Stephen Sondheim, a  protà ©gà ©Ã‚  of Oscar Hammerstein II, composed the lyrics for  West Side Story  and  Gypsy.(b) Gary Burton, the one-time teenage  prodigy, is still an astonishing master of the vibes after 40 years.

The Literary Works That I Will Be Featuring - 829 Words

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