Corporate responsibility and the case of Dutch companies still working in Myanmar - ENG.MIZZIMA.COM

Corporate responsibility scrutiny is intensifying regarding Dutch-linked companies alleged to still operate in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup. The report frames the Myanmar case as a test of whether human-rights due diligence can prevent commercial activity from strengthening a regime accused of mass atrocities. It cites allegations that Dutch firms and Netherlands-linked structures supported the junta through tax payments, investment holdings, and indirect business ties connected to military revenue and weapons networks. The article highlights prominent examples involving Heineken, Dutch pension funds ABP and PFZW (via asset managers APG and PGGM), and Airbus SE. It reports that, according to NGO Justice For Myanmar, subsidiaries of Heineken, Carlsberg and ThaiBev paid 49.9 billion kyat in Specific Goods Tax between October and December 2021, and additional taxes of 12.6 billion kyat. The article also references reports claiming a continuing profitable presence and alleged diversion of revenue to the military, while noting the allegations.