Rude comments, touching, assaults: an international coalition of unions seized the OECD on Monday, accusing the McDonald's group of tolerating "systematic sexual harassment" in its restaurants around the world.
"Gender-based violence and harassment is part of McDonald's culture," said the group, which contacted the Dutch National Contact Point (NCP) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Also targeted are two investment banks, the Dutch APG Asset Management and the Norwegian Norges Bank, present in the capital of the global catering giant to the tune of $ 1.7 billion, according to the unions.
“First referral for“ generalized sexual harassment ”
McDonald's told AFP that it would study the referral upon receipt, claiming to have already initiated "a very important discussion regarding a safe and respectful working environment (in its establishments) in the United States and around the world."
According to the coalition, this is the first referral for "widespread sexual harassment in a multinational company" within the framework of the OECD guidelines. The latter provide in particular for multinationals and their shareholders to respect labor rights such as the protection of employees against sexual violence.
"These principles are not laws, but they create obligations for multinational companies," said Lance Compa, an expert in international labor law, during a videoconference.
Company “did not take seriously” reports
Unions have collected evidence, with allegations ranging from "vulgar comments to physical assault" against workers in Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Jamelia Fairley, who has worked for four years in a franchised restaurant in Sanford, Florida, said he was the victim of sexual comments and touching by male colleagues. She made several reports but the company "did not take them seriously" and reduced her working hours, assured the young woman. The coalition also cites a case in a restaurant in France, where an official allegedly installed a mobile phone in the locker room to film the female employees changing.
Ricardo Patah, the president of the Brazilian General Union of Workers (UGT), also mentioned 23 complaints from employees filed in the country for moral and sexual harassment as well as for discrimination. The direction of the American fast-food giant was at the center of a controversy at the end of last year: its general manager Steve Easterbrook was dismissed for an "agreed" liaison but contrary to the regulations with a member of the personnel.
- Sexual assault
- Bullying
- Sexual harassment
- Mcdonald's
- World
- OECD