Dinant welcomes dispute resolution program in Aguán

27 March, 2015

Company Committed to Open Dialogue With all Stakeholders Tegucigalpa, Honduras, March 27, 2015: Corporación Dinant fully supports the dispute resolution design recommendations of Consensus Building Institute (CBI) which, under the supervision of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is bringing together all stakeholders of the Aguán to seek constructive solutions to some of the problems faced by this beautiful but troubled region of Honduras. Roger Pineda, spokesman for Dinant, said, “Dinant has operated in the Bajo Aguán for many years. We care deeply about the well-being of our employees here, the farmers who supply our processing plants, and all communities of the Aguán in which we live and work. We are committed to helping find a long-term solution to the land conflicts, and we look forward to engaging respectfully and transparently with all stakeholders – community leaders, NGOs, prominent business men and women, the Honduran authorities, and especially those few peasant movements that hold other viewpoints.” While attempts to resolve the wider problems facing the Aguán will require the participation of many stakeholders, Dinant is making significant progress on related issues that are already having a positive impact throughout Honduras.

As part of its commitment to the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, Dinant has removed all firearms from security men and women at its plantations, extraction mills and manufacturing plants.
Dinant has invested significantly in building better relations with nearby communities through locally employed social workers and formal grievance mechanisms, providing local people with simple, safe and reliable ways of communicating with the company. The Grievance Mechanism is already operating in Comayagua, and regional versions will soon be launched in Leán, San Pedro Sula and the Aguán.
Dinant rigorously benchmarks its operations against the principles of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) regarding the economic, environmental and social impact of its African Palm oil business.
Dinant’s enhanced Security Manual - the result of months of consultation and 3,600 hours of training - enforces the company requirement that employees and contractors act with respect and courtesy towards members of the public at all times. It draws on our Ethics Standards, our Human Rights Policy, and extensive training by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Mr. Pineda continued, “Dinant alone cannot resolve the wider problems of poverty, crime, and insecurity facing the people of the Aguán. But, as a major employer in the region, we know we have a responsibility to play our part. We already employ thousands of people, support hundreds of independent farmers, and contribute significantly to local communities through such initiatives as funding school teachers, offering free health check- ups, and providing technical and financial support. And we are investing significantly in how we modernize our security, engage with local people, and protect the natural environment. But we want to do more. Participating in CBI’s suggested approach for bringing together all the stakeholders of the Aguán will enable us to do that.” About Corporación Dinant Dinant is a family-owned consumer products manufacturer founded in Honduras in 1960 by Miguel Facusse Barjum. Its brands are sold throughout Central America and the Dominican Republic, and exported to global markets. Dinant employs 8,000 people, directly supports over 22,000 livelihoods, generates many millions of US dollars in exports for the Honduran economy, and contributes significantly to all communities and countries in which it operates. CORPORATE RELATIONS DEPARTMENT Roger Pineda, roger.pineda@dinant.com, +(504) 2239-8800

Dinant welcomes dispute resolution program in Aguán

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