The story goes back to over a decade. Unilever’s Indian subsidiary, Hindustan Lever, raised the hackles of local activists for abandoning its thermometer factory after shutting it down following prolonged pressure from groups such as Greenpeace. The factory made thermometers for the American and European markets from mercury imported from the United States. India has no facility for processing mercury waste. The activists then forced it to ship some 300 tons of mercury-contaminated material and waste from the factory back to the United States. The battles have continued since that time.
The rap song urges Unilever CEO Paul Polman to compensate the former workers at the factory of Unilever’s Indian unit, Hindustan Unilever, who had been exposed to toxic mercury. Environmental groups have accused the multinational of failing to clean up the mercury waste, thus harming the forests of Kodaikanal. The rap song cleverly weaves in references to Unilever’s best-selling products in India like Pepsodent toothpaste, Lifebuoy soap and Fair & Lovely skin whitening cream while tackling the consumer products giant.
The collaborative rap video was put out by public campaign group Jhatkaa.org, along with the the ex-mercury workers association among others. The campaigners urge the public to sign the petition or give a ‘missed call’ in support.