Why Total Agrees to Compensation in Forced Labor Suit

Q: Have these organizations agreed to receive the funds and distribute them?
 
A: Yes, under the control of the management committee.

Q: Total has been critical of companies doing business in Burma. Do you think Total’s business ties with Burma ultimately support the regime?
 
A: We don’t think so. We work anywhere in the world as long as doing so does not conflict with our ethical practices. If there is a legal ban from the UN, for instance, certainly we wouldn’t work. That was the case in Iraq, where there was a legal ban from the UN not to work in Iraq. But, for the moment, it’s not the case in Myanmar. So, we work properly there and show cooperation and social responsibility.

Q: Ethnic and other opposition groups have recently stated that they would like to see Total leave Burma and come back when democracy has been restored and the government is run by a civilian administration. How do you respond to this?

A: We don’t think it’s a good solution because it’s very clear that if we were to withdraw from the country, our position would be taken immediately by another company. There’s a definite need for energy in this part of the world, as you know. So, another operator will make it, and then you will face the risk that all the positive things we are doing there for the population may not be continued. So, what is the change? You had that case several times in Myanmar. Well, important companies withdrew and were replaced by others. You have British-American Tobacco. You have Premier Oil. All those companies have been replaced—sometimes for the better, and sometimes not.

Q: Many international opposition groups claim that your compensation package will result in huge profits for the military government—perhaps as much as US $300 to 500 million—that could be used to further solidify their power. How do you respond to such accusations?

A: First of all, the figure of US $500 million is totally out of proportion. It’s not the right figure, I would say.

Q: What is the right figure?

A: We cannot disclose that. But, the stated figure is out of proportion. You have to keep something in mind. Total is not alone in this joint venture. We have other partners—Unocal and PTT  [Petroleum Authority of Thailand]. As partners, we pay not only taxes to the government, but also pay for the gas itself. Although we are the operator of the joint venture, we are only one partner. And the actual figure [of profit for the regime] is much further down.

Q: Do you think that your work in Burma is helping what some have called one of the world’s most repressive governments?
 
A: We are working in a difficult country, but we are persevering. We’ve always said that forced labor of any kind is unacceptable, and we’ve always fought against forced labor, which is reportedly not yet eradicated in Myanmar [Burma].