French-Swiss Company Admits to ‘Unacceptable’ Activity in Syria

LafargeHolcim, the Swiss-French cement company, on Thursday admitted “unacceptable” measures were taken to keep its Syrian plant open, following allegations staff had dealt with armed groups during the country’s foreign-sparked war.


The company said an internal investigation found evidence its Syrian unit had paid third parties to work out arrangements with armed groups, including “sanctioned parties”, in order to maintain operations at the factory in 2013 and 2014.

Violent conflict erupted around LafargeHolcim’s cement plant in northern Syria in 2013, with terrorist groups fighting with Syrian army forces to control parts of the country’s border regions with Turkey. The fighting raised questions about the security of the factory and the safety of employees.

In a statement, Lafarge said that while its investigation uncovered payments to third parties, it could not uncover “with certainty” who ultimately received the funds.

By the time the Syrian plant was evacuated in September 2014, it had fewer than 30 employees left from the original workforce of 240. LafargeHolcim was created in 2015 through the €41bn merger of France’s Lafarge and Switzerland’s Holcim.
 (Tasnim)
2/3/17