NCP Denmark initiates investigation of A.P. Moller - Maersk regarding operation and closure of a container terminal in Cameroun

NCP Denmark has concluded a preliminary investigation of a complaint against A.P. Moller - Maersk submitted by 337 former employees of the joint venture Douala International Terminal S.A. in Cameroun. Based on the preliminary investigation, NCP Denmark cannot dismiss that non-observance of the OECD Guidelines has taken place in the case in question. On that background, NCP Denmark initiates an actual investigation of the complaint.  
 
On 19 October 2021, the Mediation and Complaints-Handling Institution for Responsible Business Conduct (NCP Denmark) received a complaint regarding A.P. Moller - Maersk from 337 former employees of the joint venture Douala International Terminal S.A. (DIT), represented by the law firms of Jean-Paul Ngalle-Miano, James F. Epo Esq. and Mohamed Djenabou Esq. DIT was partly owned by APM Terminals, which is a subsidiary of A.P. Moller - Maersk.  
 
The complaint concerns A.P. Moller - Maersks potential non-observance of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises regarding the operation and closure of DIT, a joint venture, where APM Terminals – a subsidiary of A.P. Moller - Maersk – held shares. The complaint includes labour rights. 

A.P. Moller - Maersk disagrees with the complaint. The concession agreement of the port terminal ended in December 2019. 
 
Based on the preliminary investigation, NCP Denmark cannot, at this point, dismiss that non-observance of the OECD Guidelines has taken place. A.P. Moller - Maersk has declined an offer of mediation between the parties from NCP Denmark. 
 
Consequently, NCP Denmark accepts the complaint for further consideration. 
 
Based on the preliminary investigation, NCP Denmark assesses that the complaint is centered around the OECD Guidelines chapter II on General Policies (paragraph 12, 13 & 14), and chapter V on Employment and Industrial Relations.  
 
NCP Denmark emphasises that the preliminary investigation does not determine whether non-observance of the OECD Guidelines has in fact taken place. 
 
Read more about NCP Denmark’s case handling procedure
 
NCP Denmark is the Danish National Contact Point to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. NCP Denmark is a politically independent institution established by law in 2012. 

Read more about NCP Denmark