Quarterly report on inquiries and complaints – Q2 2023-2024

The CORE publishes statistics about inquiries and complaints every three months (quarterly) from April to March (the fiscal year).

An inquiry is a request for information about filing a complaint or a request to file a complaint about an issue that is clearly outside the CORE’s mandate (for example, a complaint about something that happened in Canada).

A complaint is about an issue that looks like it may be within the CORE’s mandate^{Footnote 1}. The CORE provides more information about inquiries and complaints in its annual report.

Second quarter 2023-2024 (July 1, 2023 –September 30, 2023)

Highlights of this quarter

Complaints

Two new complaints received:

One complaint alleging the forced displacement and dispossession of property in the mining sector in Nicaragua is in the intake stage where its admissibility is being reviewed.
One complaint alleging the abuse to the right to a safe, clean, healthy, sustainable environment and to health in the mining sector in Chile is in the intake stage where its admissibility is being reviewed.

One complaint from the previous quarter alleging abuse of the right to freedom of association in the garment sector in Honduras remains in the intake^{Footnote 2} stage where its admissibility is being reviewed.

One complaint from the previous quarter alleging the abuse of the right to rest and leisure in the mining sector in Chile remains in the intake stage where it’s admissibility is being reviewed.

One complaint from the previous quarter alleging the abuse of forced labour in the garment sector in China was admissible and has moved to the initial assessment stage.

Two complaints closed

Two complaints from previous quarters were closed:

One complaint regarding the allegation of Uyghur forced labour in China was withdrawn by the complainant as a result of the company providing a satisfactory response or remedy to the allegations in the complaint.
One complaint alleging the abuse of the right to just and favourable working conditions in the mining sector in Chile was closed as there was insufficient information provided to move forward in the complaint process.

Publication of Initial Assessment reports

Eight initial assessment reports were published regarding the allegation of the use of or benefitting from the use of Uyghur forced labour in their operations or supply chains in China.

The Initial Assessment report detailing the complaint against Nike Canada Corp. announced the launch of an Investigation into the complaint
The Initial Assessment report detailing the complaint against Dynasty Gold Corp. announced the launch of an Investigation into the complaint
The Initial Assessment report detailing the complaint against Ralph Lauren Canada LP announced the launch of an Investigation into the complaint
The Initial Assessment report detailing the complaint against GobiMin announced the complaint will move to Recommendations and follow-up
The Initial Assessment report detailing the complaint against Walmart Canada announced the launch of an Investigation into the complaint
The Initial Assessment report detailing the complaint against Hugo Boss Canada announced the launch of an Investigation into the complaint
The Initial Assessment report detailing the complaint against Diesel Canada Inc. announced the launch of an Investigation into the complaint
The Initial Assessment report detailing the complaint against Levi Strauss Canada announced the launch of an Investigation into the complaint

Inquiries

Fifty-six new inquiries were received during this quarter and referred to another forum or organization for assistance if necessary.

Figure 1 - Total number of complaints and inquiries received during this quarter

Figure 1 - Text version

A bar graph depicting the total number of inquiries, 56, and complaints, 2, received this quarter.

Figure 2 - Total number of files closed during the second fiscal quarter (July 1, 2023-September 30, 2023)

Figure 2 - Text version

A bar graph depicting the total number of complaints (2) closed during the second fiscal quarter 2023-2024. One was withdrawn by complainant as a result of satisfactory resolution; and one was closed due to insufficient information.

Figure 3 - All current active complaints broken down by country of occurrence

Figure 3 - Text version

A world map depicting the country location of all current active complaints. There are currently thirteen in China, two in Chile, two in Honduras, one in Bangladesh, one in Pakistan and one in Nicaragua.

Figure 4 - Total current active complaints to-date demonstrated by sector and current stage of the complaint process.

Figure 4 - Text version

A bar graph depicting the total number (20) of current active complaints broken down by stage in the complaint process and sector. There is one complaint in the garment sector and three complaints in the mining sector currently in intake. Six complaints in the garment sector and one complaint in the mining sector currently in the initial assessment stage. There are seven complaints in the garment sector and one complaint in the mining sector currently in the investigation stage. One complaint in the garment sector and one in the mining sector are in the closure stage. There is one complaint in the mining sector currently in the follow up on recommendations stage.

For information on past inquiries and complaints, please see our previous quarterly reports:

Q1- Q3 2021 – 2022 March 15 - December 31

Q4 2021 – 2022 January 1 - March 31

Q1 2022 – 2023 April 1 - June 31

Q2 2022 – 2023 July 1 - September 30

Q3 2022 – 2023 October 1 - December 31

Q4 2022-2023 January 1 – March 31

Q1 2023-3024 April 1 – June 30