abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

1 Dec 2004

Author:
Russell Mokhiber & Robert Weissman, Multinational Monitor

The Ten Worst Corporations of 2004

[10 worst list: Abbott Laboratories, AIG, Coca-Cola, Dow Chemical, GlaxoSmithKline, Hardee's (part of CKE Restaurants), Merck, McWane, Riggs Bank, Wal-Mart] [Accused of anti-AIDS drug price hikes,] Abbott said the price spike was justified...[In response to accusations of Coca-Cola's complicity in] violence committed against Coke's unionized workforce by paramilitary forces [in Colombia, Coca-Cola responded]..."Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners have instituted special safeguards to protect employees"...[Regarding the Bhopal, India gas leak, Dow Chemical states] "While Dow has no responsibility for Bhopal, we have never forgotten the tragic event" [full company response quoted in article]...[Featured due to its alleged failure to disclose evidence of dangers related to its anti-depressant Paxil, GlaxoSmithKline] continues to insist that it disclosed information to appropriate authorities as soon as it discerned important results from its clinical studies...[In response to charges of a poor safety record McWane states] "our company has embarked on significant changes that are focused on setting the industry standard in employee safety, health and environmental programs"...[In response to accusations of Wal-Mart] suppressing wage levels, workplace protections and labor laws [a company spokesperson said] "we care about the health of our...employees". [also refers to Bayer, Halliburton, Union Carbide (part of Dow), KFC (part of YUM!)]

Part of the following timelines

The Ten Worst Corporations of 2004

Coca-Cola lawsuit (re Colombia)