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DDL recognises its Corporate Social Responsibility
Dear Editor,
The report that DDL had registered a reduction in its profits would have been good news if we knew for certain that Guyanese were consuming less alcohol (SN, 13 June, 2009).
Last year had seen some attempts made at all levels in terms of addressing the problems, which alcohol causes to the society.
There have been calls by Government officials, some nervously, to the alcohol industry in Guyana to do their part in curbing some of the problems.
DDL in its 2008 Annual Report has addressed the recognition of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and acknowledging that it spent $50 million on fulfilling these obligations.
Some of these CSR events include CARIFESTA X activities, which were also marketing events for DDL.
Alcohol industry sponsored organisations such as the International Center for Alcohol Policies (http://www.icap.org ) have sponsors, who recognise that their products cause “serious and personal harm” and thus as good corporate citizens they have to invest in alleviating the problems caused by the consumption of their products (or as they state ‘misuse of their products’).
While for example, it is commendable that DDL has launched its campaign to stop the selling to underage persons, it is important for those distributors who sign to this charter, to also refuse to sell to people who do not sign the charter and who sell to children as part of their normal business practice.
DDL does not express any commitment to this initiative in its 2008 Annual Report.
Guyana’s history of sugar has left a legacy of alcohol consumption which continues to plague sections of the society.
The alcohol companies in Guyana should not believe that charitable donations and marketing based sponsorship of events should excuse them from acknowledging their own responsibility in responding effectively to the destruction wrought by alcohol consumption in sections of our society.
Lenandlar Singh
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