OPEN
* Admissibility date reflects the date the case was officially registered. All other dates pertain to the date in which a stage was completed.
Case Description
On 26 June 2024, the EIB Group Complaints Mechanism received a complaint from an individual regarding the Kanpur Metro and the Agra Metro Rail projects in India, alleging non-compliance of the project with EIB Environmental and Social Standards. The allegations concern the violation of labour standards, including harassment and retaliation of workers of a contractor of the projects, as well as a dysfunctional grievance mechanism.
Work performed
Based on its initial assessment, that was finalised in December 2024, the EIB-CM decided to proceed with a compliance review in relation to the alleged instances of non-compliance of the projects with the applicable EIB environmental and social standards. As part of its review, the EIB-CM conducted meetings with the complainant and with the promoter to gather information on the raised issues. Information related to the projects was also reviewed, including the respective environmental and social impact assessments, the Environmental and Social Data Sheets (ESDS) for both projects, the finance contracts and different technical documents referred to further in this report.
Conclusion
The EIB-CM considers that, regarding the allegation related to inappropriate conduct by the projects’ promoter, the complainant did not provide sufficient elements nor supporting evidence to substantiate misconduct by the promoter in relation to its obligations under the EIB E&S Standards. The EIB-CM could therefore not determine the existence of indication of non-compliance with the applicable EIB E&S Standards to justify proceeding with further compliance assessment of this allegation. Regarding the allegation related to the workers’ grievance mechanism, the EIB-CM understands that the EIB project team will monitor closely the upgrade and proper implementation of the existing workers’ GRM for both projects to ensure that, as per Standard 8, workers can raise workplace concerns and to grant workers free and easy access to such grievance mechanisms.
Outcome
The EIB-CM will liaise with the EIB project team on its monitoring of the mentioned upgrade and proper implementation of the existing workers’ GRM for both projects and publish information on its website on the progress of the upgrade of the existing workers’ GRM accordingly.
Monitoring
The EIB-CM will monitor the implementation by the Bank of the suggestion and will publish a report on its website on the progress and results of its implementation.