In December 2013, Wilmar — the world’s largest trader of palm oil — announced a far-reaching new policy commitment – no deforestation, no exploitation in any of its business, requiring all of its suppliers to cease deforestation. Bidco, the east african brand of Wilmar, describing themselves as an integral part of the east african history for three decades, operates in Uganda and Kenya. On their website it reads ‘BIDCO seeks more land for palm trees. The government is yet to fulfill its pledge of offering a total of 10,000 hectares of land to BIDCO Uganda Limited to expand its palm tree plantations in Ssese Island.’ Do they adhere do the standards Wilmar made a commitment to?
The documentary „Live under the shadow of Palmoil“ shows the bitter reality as voices from people as so called „beneficiaries“ are heard. They are forced leaving their homes, their life planting coffee or bananas is destroyed and monoculture has taken place as well as hunger. No hospitals or schools have been built on the island so far as promised by the company BIDCO. The little money the workers are earning is far from equitable as they deduct working equipments. Is this kind of development we are looking for?
