Unilever has been accused of hypocrisy because under Putin’s regime the company continued to “spend enough in Russia to pay for 39 bullets a second” while continuing to sell products like ice cream and soap
- Unilever contributes half a billion pounds to the Russian economy every year
- That’s equivalent to a month’s salary for a Russian soldier every two minutes
Unilever has been labeled a “bunch of hypocrites” because the company continued to sell products like ice cream and soap in Russia, indirectly contributing to its war chest.
The company – whose brands include Dove, Ben & Jerry’s and Marmite – contributes half a billion pounds to Russia’s economy annually, according to an analysis by the Moral Rating Agency (MRA).
The campaign group’s estimate includes Unilever’s costs and taxes in Russia for production, wages and rent.
The London-based company spends the equivalent of a month’s wages for a Russian soldier every two minutes and a T-72 tank a day. That could pay for 39 bullets per second, every day of the year, or one thermobaric rocket every 9.5 days. MRA spokesman Mark Dixon said: “A cornetto ice cream seems harmless until you consider that selling millions a day can quickly fund a rocket launch.”
“Similarly, a bar of Dove soap looks pretty dirty if enough of it is produced to buy a Russian tank.” British taxpayers are funding Ukraine and British company Unilever is funding Russia. The British ally may soon actually have to fight the invasion of Ukraine by Unilever employees.
Protesters wearing balaclavas held placards outside Unilever’s London headquarters in March, calling on the company to halt its operations in Russia
The company – whose brands include Dove, Ben & Jerry’s and Marmite – contributes half a billion pounds to Russia’s economy annually, according to an analysis by the Moral Rating Agency. Pictured: Unilever’s headquarters in Rotterdam, the Netherlands
The London-based company spends the equivalent of a month’s wages for a Russian soldier every two minutes and a T-72 tank a day
Unilever chief executive Hein Schumacher (pictured) says a pull-out “could lead to nationalization of the company,” citing the takeover of French yogurt maker Danone’s Russian subsidiary earlier this summer
“This twisted situation is the direct result of greed for morality, despite the crocodile tears that Unilever so aptly conjures up.” The analysis also sparked an uproar among MPs, who criticized Unilever for its presence in Russia, despite brands like Ben & Jerry’s ” “awakened” attitudes. Conservative MP Bob Seely said: “I understand there is a financial cost.” [to leaving Russia] But at the same time, every time these people pay taxes to the Russian state, they are financing a war.
The MP called Unilever bosses “a bunch of hypocrites” and said the company represented “a moral void”. Labor MP Chris Bryant said: “The Business Secretary should name and shame companies that are still operating in Russia .”
Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher says a withdrawal could “lead to nationalization of the company,” citing the takeover of French yogurt maker Danone’s Russian subsidiary earlier this summer.
However, in a leaked letter earlier this month, he promised a Ukrainian war veteran that he would look at the issue with “new eyes”. Unilever recently said it would comply with conscription laws, meaning its 3,000 Russian employees could be sent into combat.
n A conspiracy to ethnically cleanse the Ukrainian city of Mariupol through population transfers has been uncovered. The plan reportedly calls for 300,000 Russians to move there with the incentive of a preferential mortgage program.
Of the city’s 450,000 residents, only 100,000 remain. More than 25,000 people were reportedly killed and 16,000 children abducted while 90 percent of buildings were leveled.