Abstract
In the spring of 2005, CARE presented a research report at a congress in Phnom Penh. It showed the case of Heineken and the promotion girls (PGs) from a largely new perspective. The approach to PGs that Heineken developed in 2003–2004 was mainly aimed at reducing the PGs’ risk of becoming infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). However, CARE’s new report shows that the girls’ working conditions – not the chance that a minority of them will become infected with HIV as a result of after-hours sex with customers – are the greatest threat to the PGs’ well-being. The most serious consequences of the PGs’ working conditions appear to be that they are daily exposed to violent types of sexual intimidation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Heineken International (2004). See also http://www.heinekeninternational.com/selling_beer_safely.aspx and http://fairtradebeer.com/reportfiles/heinekenaidspolicy2002.pdf (both last viewed 26 Oct. 2009).
- 2.
Hawkins (15 June 2005) See: http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/selected_features/cd-15-6-05.htm (last viewed 26 Oct. 2009). In addition, even before May 2005 several other articles based on less systematic research than CARE’s showed that sexual intimidation was a substantial element of the circumstances in which PGs work in Cambodia. See ActionAid, ‘Hand in my Pant: The Life of a Beer Promotion Girl in Phnom Penh (ActionAid 2003) on http://www.actionaid.org/asia/337_5_31.html (1 Aug. 2005). However, the best-known critic, Ian Lubek, still emphasised HIV/AIDS in early 2005. 2005). See: http://www.fairtradebeer.com/reportfiles/Lubek2005.pdf (last viewed 29 Oct. 2009) and http://www.fairtradebeer.com/reportfiles/lubekheineken2004.rtf (last viewed 26 Oct. 2009).
- 3.
See also the ILO’s description at http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/gems/eeo/tu/cha_4.htm (1 Aug. 2005).
- 4.
For the rest, CARE advises against using the terms promotion girls and indirect/direct sex work. They contribute to the public’s negative image of PGs and further downgrade an already weak position. Promotion women is preferable. Bury (2005). See http://www.fairtradebeer.com/reportfiles/CARE/louiseburyCARE2005.pdf (last viewed 24 Oct. 2009).
- 5.
Bury (2005), Annex 2. See http://www.fairtradebeer.com/reportfiles/CARE/louiseburyCARE2005.pdf (last viewed 24 Oct. 2009).
- 6.
Licadho (2004), 7. See http://www.licadho-cambodia.org/reports/files/48Rape%20briefing%20report%202003%20English.pdf (last viewed 24 Oct. 2009).
- 7.
http://www.cchr-cambodia.org/Laws/English/LaborLaw.htm (28 July 2005).
- 8.
Bury (2005), 51–52. See http://www.fairtradebeer.com/reportfiles/CARE/louiseburyCARE2005.pdf (last viewed 24 Oct. 2009).
- 9.
Care Cambodia (2003). See http://www.fairtradebeer.com/reportfiles/CARE/ingridquinnCARE2003.pdf (last viewed 24 Oct. 2009). Klinker (2005). See http://www.fairtradebeer.com/reportfiles/CARE/CAREendlinereport2005.pdf (last viewed 24 Oct. 2009).
- 10.
See also http://www.fairtradebeer.com/reportfiles/CARE/ingridquinnCARE2003.pdf (last viewed 24 Oct. 2009).
- 11.
Bury (2005), 13 and 62–64. See http://www.fairtradebeer.com/reportfiles/CARE/louiseburyCARE2005.pdf (last viewed 24 Oct. 2009).
- 12.
PIE bought a 20% stake in CBL, the remaining 80% went to APB.
- 13.
Heineken International (2004), 2. See also http://www.heinekeninternational.com/selling_beer_safely.aspx and http://fairtradebeer.com/reportfiles/heinekenaidspolicy2002.pdf (both last viewed 26 Oct. 2009).
References
Algemeen Dagblad, 1994. “Heineken bouwt brouwerij in Cambodja.” Algemeen Dagblad, 13, 18 October.
ActionAid. 2003. ‘Hand in My Pant: The Life of a Beer Promotion Girl in Phnom Penh’. ActionAid, http://www.actionaid.org/asia/337_5_31.html.
Bury, L. 2005. A Report on the Situation of Beer Promotion Women in the Workplace, Cambodia: Results of a Harassment and Abuse Survey. Phnom Penh: CARE International Cambodia 15–17.
Care Cambodia. Sept. 2003. Selling Beer Safely: A Baseline Survey & Needs Assessment of Beer Promoters in Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh: CARE International in Cambodia.
Christern, M. 1997. ‘Nederlandse ondernemingen in Azië-Pacific: Heineken; De beste ontwikkelingshulp.’ NRC Handelsblad, 14, 27 June.
Gersdorf, F.V. 1994. ‘Lange reeks tegenslagen kenmerkt Azië-avontuur bierbrouwer Heineken.’ Het Financieele Dagblad, 11.
Heineken International. 2004. Promotion Girls Policy: Selling Beer Safely. Amsterdam: Heineken International.
Karen Hawkins, (15 June 2005) ‘NGO Seeks Cultural Makeover for “Beer Girls”’, Cambodia Daily, 1–2.
Klinker, C. Feb. 2005. Selling Beer Safely: A Combodian Women’s Health Initiative Endline Evaluation. Phnom Penh: CARE.
Licadho. 2004. Rape and Indecent Assault. Phnom Penh: Licadho.
Lubek, I. Spring 2005. ‘Cambodian “Beer Promotion Women” and Corporate Caution: Recalcitrance or Worse?’ The Psychology of Women Section Review 7(1):2–11.
Quinn, I. Sept. 2003. Selling Beer Safely: A Baseline Survey & Needs Assessment of Beer Promoters in Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh: CARE International Cambodia.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
van der Putten, FP. (2011). Heineken and Promotion Girls in Cambodia, Part 2. In: Dubbink, W., van Liedekerke, L., van Luijk, H. (eds) European Business Ethics Casebook. Issues in Business Ethics, vol 29. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8966-3_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8966-3_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-8965-6
Online ISBN: 978-90-481-8966-3
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawPhilosophy and Religion (R0)