Read the initial assessment issued by the Dutch NCP – 28 June 2016
Read the final statement issued by the Dutch NCP – 18 August 2017
Read the follow up statement issued by the Dutch NCP – 21 April 2021
On 14 December 2015, the Dutch NCP received a submission from three individuals involving Heineken, a Dutch multinational and its subsidiary Bralima operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The three individuals stated that Bralima had not observed the Guidelines in the dismissals of 168 former employees in the DRC between 1999 and 2003.
Because the issues occurred before the revision of the OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises in 2011, the NCP decided whether the specific instance merited further consideration on the basis of the 2000 version of the OECD Guidelines.
In its initial assessment published on 28 June 2016, the Dutch NCP accepted the specific instance for further consideration. The NCP offered its mediation services which both parties accepted.
The dialogue was conducted under the chairmanship of the NCP and resulted in an agreement between the parties. The NCP was asked by the parties to monitor these next steps to ensure an objective, neutral and due process. Heineken also indicated that it will draw up a policy, including guidelines, on how to conduct business and operate in volatile and conflict-affected countries.
On 21 April 2022, the NCP published a follow up statement acknowledging that the company had made important progress in developing and implementing RBC policies within the Heineken Group. The NCP further noted that compliance with the corporate governance principles should continue to be part of an ongoing monitoring process within the Heineken Group. The NCP concluded that the agreement reached by the parties had been fully implemented.