What the Australian Olympic Committee sponsors say

Clare 8 May 2008, 04:32PM

Here’s a rundown what some of the corporate sponsors of the Australian Olympic Committee have said about human rights and the Olympics. There are also extracts and links to their corporate social responsibility policies.

Panasonic’s corporate social responsibility policies say:

“When carrying out business activities globally, it goes without saying that we must comply with laws, regulations and ethics relating to employment and labor in each country where we do business.”

Publicly the company has said:

“Our support for the Olympic ideal is independent of local contingencies.”

Speedo’s corporate social responsibility policies say:

“We believe in Human Rights for all. We are working with our suppliers to ensure the provision of fair wages and working hours, safe/hygienic working conditions, regular employment and no discrimination or inhumane treatment of employees.”

Publicly the company has said:

“We are a sponsor of the AOC (Australian Olympic Committee), not the torch relay. We make swimwear, not political comments.”

BHP Billiton’s corporate social responsibility polices say:

“Upholding and promoting the human rights of our employees and contractors, our suppliers, and the communities in which we operate, incorporating such issues as freedom of association, the exclusion of child labour, the prohibition of forced labour and appropriate use of security forces.”

Publicly the company has said:

BHP Billiton recently tempered their enthusiasm for the Games by shifting from being a “proud” supporter of the Olympics and the Paralympics to simply a provider of metal for medals. “BHP Billiton is the official diversified minerals and medals sponsor of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games,” the company said in a statement. “It stressed its commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but said it only commented on government policies affecting mining.”

Mitsubishi Motors’ corporate social responsibility policies say:

“By placing top priority on continuing to enhance compliance and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, Mitsubishi Motors seeks, in addition to continuing conventional compliance and CSR activities, to move toward a prosperous and sustainable relationship with society.” The company accordingly has announced the establishment of a Corporate Citizenship Promotion Office as a first step in that direction.

Publicly the company has said:

Mitsubishi … communicated to the Sydney Morning Herald that the issue of China's involvement in Tibet has nothing to do with them as they are sponsors of the Australian Olympic team, not the Games. The Olympic charter restricts the marketing of their association to Australia only.

Telstra’s corporate social responsibility policies say:

“At Telstra, our commitment to corporate responsibility begins with a simple and straight forward commitment to principled decision-making in all that we do. That is why we are committed to an annual assessment of the progress we are making in identifying and exercising our corporate responsibilities.”

Publicly the company has said:

… Telstra communicated to the Sydney Morning Herald that the issue of China's involvement in Tibet has nothing to do with them as they are sponsors of the Australian Olympic team, not the Games. The Olympic charter restricts the marketing of their association to Australia only.

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