Agreement between trade unions and NBIM in specific instance

The Norwegian National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises congratulates the four trade unions (IUF, EFFAT-IUF, SEIU and UGT) and Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) on reaching an agreement and a joint statement in a specific instance concerning gender-based violence and harassment in McDonalds.

This is a result of a dialogue and mediation facilitated by the Norwegian NCP. The mediation took place in Oslo, Norway on 8 – 9 March 2022, and was mediated by Gro Nystuen and Nils-Henrik von der Fehr. Both Parties participated in the dialogue in an open and constructive manner. The NCP notes NBIM’s due diligence efforts and is positive to following up with the parties to further promote the implementation of the OECD Guidelines.

The agreement between the parties aligns with the recommendations of the OECD Guidelines and affirms that NBIM uses its best efforts to implement the due diligence recommendations of the Guidelines. It notes that institutional investors have a role to play in contributing to responsible business conduct by considering associated risks throughout the investment process and to use leverage to influence investee companies to prevent or mitigate adverse impact. The Parties agree that gender-based violence and harassment is a material risk that companies in the fast-food restaurant sector need to address in order to create a safe and respectful environment for workers.

The submission from the trade unions concerns allegations of gender-based violence and harassment in McDonald’s and related due diligence by two institutional investors: APG and NBIM. It was submitted by four trade unions: International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF), European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT-IUF), Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and União Geral dos Trabalhadores (UGT). The Norwegian NCP has handled the submission relating to NBIM.

The Final Statement of the Norwegian NCP and the agreement between the Parties is published here. The Final Statement from the Dutch NCP regarding APG is published here, and the Final Statement from the US NCP regarding McDonalds is published here.

For further information, contact Njål Høstmælingen (who led the Norwegian NCPs handling of this specific instance) ph. + 47 91162566 or oecdncp@mfa.no.