Final report issued on Coca Cola

The United Nation's International Labor Organization (ILO) has released its report "Evaluation Mission Coca-Cola bottling plants in Colombia."

"The assessment was a thorough, independent evaluation," Greg Tewksbury, interim associate vice president for finance and University treasurer, says of the report released Oct. 13. "Among the conclusions was recognition of The Coca-Cola Company's efforts to prohibit child labor, ensure equality and non-discrimination, and provide health and safety programs.

"Additionally, the University is pleased that Coca-Cola and its bottling plants will address the ILO report recommendations as they continue to examine labor practices in their Colombia bottling plants."

In 2004 the U-M group Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality lodged a formal complaint against Coca-Cola, with regard to its business practices in India and Colombia.

The University requested independent third-party evaluation of labor relations and workers' rights practices at Coca-Cola bottling plants in Colombia and the environmental impact of bottling plants in India.

The non-governmental agency The Energy and Resources Institute released its evaluation of the India bottling plants in January 2008.

The receipt of this second report concludes the University's evaluation of Coca-Cola business practices. The University will continue to maintain a vendor relationship with the Coca-Cola Company.

For more information go to www.vpcomm.umich.edu/pa/key/coke.html.

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