VINCI entirely refutes Sherpa’s allegations and decides to file a lawsuit for defamation

24 March 2015 - 11:30 am - Events - Qatar

VINCI has been working in Qatar via QDVC since 2007 and employs 3,500 people in the country. We have repeatedly welcomed unions, international NGOs and journalists onto our building sites. They have ascertained that we do more than merely comply with local labour law and respect fundamental rights. All QDVC employees are free to retrieve their passports at any time, and we strictly observe working hours and rest time.

VINCI strives to improve employee working and living conditions throughout the world. This is the case in Qatar, where we have built new housing facilities at the beginning of this year in order to provide our workers with better living conditions. Moreover, 70% of our workers decide to return to QDVC and sign new two-year contracts when their previous contracts expire and they return from their holidays.

We are therefore appalled by the accusations against us and have decided to:

     - file a lawsuit against Sherpa, whose slanderous allegations constitute a serious attack on our image;
     - invite Sherpa representatives, and any journalists who so wish, to visit our building sites and living quarters in order to inspect working and living conditions first-hand, at their earliest convenience.

VINCI has been a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact since 2003. Under this compact, businesses commit to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

 

About VINCI
VINCI is a global player in concessions, energy and construction, employing 280,000 people in more than 120 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, we are committed to operating in an environmentally, socially responsible and ethical manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities. Based on that approach, VINCI’s ambition is to create long-term value for its customers, shareholders, employees, partners and society in general.