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London-based consumer goods giant Unilever has declared it will adhere to Russian laws requiring companies to allow employee conscription into the war in Ukraine. This decision, affecting Unilever's 3,000 Russian workers, came to light following the publication of a letter addressed to the B4Ukraine Coalition, a group seeking to isolate Russia from its wartime resources.
It was said that this information surfaced after Unilever's letter of response to the B4Ukraine Coalition was published by the media. The letter dated July 11 was signed by Reginaldo Ecclissato, the company's chief business operations and supply chain officer.
The coalition's main aim is to cut off Russia from any means of carrying out war against Ukraine. In its campaign letter, B4Ukraine wants Unilever to clarify its position regarding several issues it mentioned in the missive, such as the amount of tax it pays and its advertising spending in Russia.
Before this, the consumer packaged goods company faced calls to end its operations in Russia. But while it has already ceased imports and exports, it still sells its products there and pays taxes.
It explained the reason for its continued presence in the country. CNBC further reported that Unilever confirmed it would follow Russian law, including the order for companies to allow the conscription of employees if the government calls them to war.
Since the legislation related to conscription applies to Russian citizens, Unilever will let workers with this citizenship enlist in the army. Then again, the company did not say if its employees were already called to serve.
"Question six in your letter asks for further details on conscription to the Russian army," Ecclissato stated in the letter to B4Ukraine. "We are aware of the law requiring any company operating in Russia to permit the conscription of employees should they be called. We always comply with all the laws of the countries we operate in."
Photo by: Sean Biehle/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
