Chevron, Total Linked to Forced Labor and Killings in Burma

The U.S. and France have both acknowledged that gross human rights violations, including forced labor and government-sponsored killings, are taking place in Burma under the military government. So why have Chevron and French oil giant Total been linked to forced labor, beatings, and other violations of human rights committed against workers building a pipeline for them in Burma? And why did the CEO of Total tell a Newsweek reporter that those who criticized the companies' connection to forced labor could "go to hell"? A new report from Earth Rights International tells the story of how two Western oil companies gave one proverbial finger to the exploited people of Burma.

In September, Earth Rights International (ERI) published the results of two years of research in this report, focusing on the impact of Total and Chevron's joint Yadana pipeline project. The findings? The project has generated over $4 billion for the Burmese government, which has actively used and recruited child soldiers and slave labor since coming to power. Furthermore, Burmese military personnel providing security for the project have been cited as abusing workers and supporting the use of forced labor. Total and Chevron have both claimed the pipeline is a "development project," but last I checked good international development practices didn't involve exploiting and enslaving local workers to enrich a foreign oil company.

And what did Total and Chevron have to say about these allegations? Chevron took the very American approach of ignoring the complaints and carrying on as if nothing was different. Total took the very French approach of replying with a 12-page official response defending themselves. Of course, this was after they told their critics to "go to hell" and were generally dismissive of the allegations and plight of Burmese workers. You can read Total's response, and ERI's response to their response, if you're interested in all the dirty details.

As for Total and Chevron, this incident has corporate social responsibility FAIL written all over it. When two years and 106 pages of data indicate that your company is enslaving workers on what is supposed to be a "development project," the appropriate response is not to ignore it or tell your critics to "go to hell." The appropriate response is to investigate the situation. Or at a bare minimum to respond to the allegations civilly. Because slavery is not an acceptable cost-cutting strategy, even if the government of the slaves you exploit is on board with the idea. That's one of the best parts about living in the age we do now and not feudal Europe or ancient Babylonia. Welcome to the 21st century, Total and Chevron. Slavery is so last millennium.

ERI has made some recommendations for Total and Chevron to help them start digging themselves out of their human rights hole. First, the companies need to be fully transparent about revenue from the project, dating all the way back to 1992 when it was started. They also ought to accept responsibility for the larger local impacts of the project and help workers file complaints of forced labor with the International Labour Organization. You can learn more about Chevron and Total's ties to forced labor in Burma here.

Photo credit: loozrboy