An independent audit commissioned by Volkswagen to assess labour conditions at its joint venture facility in Xinjiang, China, has come under scrutiny for failing to adhere to key aspects of the international standard the company claimed to have followed, according to a recent report by the Financial Times.

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The audit, conducted in 2023, was intended to address concerns raised by investors regarding potential forced labour practices at the site, which is co-owned by SAIC in a region where human rights organisations have documented widespread abuses, including mass detention and forced labour. The Chinese government has consistently denied these allegations.

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Upon obtaining the full audit report, the Financial Times uncovered several discrepancies between the actual process and the standards Volkswagen had publicly committed to upholding. One of the most significant issues was the manner in which worker interviews were conducted. Contrary to the requirement for confidentiality, these interviews were reportedly live-streamed to a law firm's headquarters in Shenzhen, potentially compromising the workers' ability to speak freely without fear of repercussions.

The audit's methodology appeared to be flawed in its approach to investigating forced labour concerns. The report indicates that only managerial staff were questioned about issues related to forced labour, raising doubts about the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the findings.

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Volkswagen had previously stated that the audit was conducted in accordance with the SA8000 standard, a widely recognised benchmark for assessing workplace conditions across eight key areas, including child labour, forced labour, and health and safety.

According to the Financial Times, when asked for a comment the company clarified that the SA8000 standard was used only as a "basis" for the audit, rather than being fully implemented.

Adding to the concerns surrounding the audit's credibility, the Financial Times discovered that neither Loening Human Rights &amp; Responsible Business GmbH, the German firm hired by Volkswagen to conduct the audit, nor Liangma, the Chinese law firm involved in the process, were accredited to perform SA8000 audits according to Social Accountability International, which is the body responsible for setting these standards.

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When the summary of the audit report was released in late 2023, it concluded that there were no signs of forced labour at the Xinjiang facility. However, the auditors acknowledged the well-known challenges associated with data collection in China, particularly in the context of worker interviews.

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The revelations about the audit's shortcomings have prompted mixed reactions. Several senior staff members at Loening have reportedly distanced themselves from the audit, while some of Volkswagen's investors have responded cautiously to the results, urging the automaker to conduct further investigations into the plant's operations.

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In response to these findings, Volkswagen has maintained that despite not receiving an official SA8000 certification, they implemented "alternative ethical guidelines and management reviews" to ensure adherence to appropriate standards. However, the discrepancies highlighted by the Financial Times report raise significant questions about the thoroughness and reliability of the audit process.

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The full audit report has also been obtained by other media outlets, including Germany's Der Spiegel and ZDF, suggesting that this issue may continue to attract attention and scrutiny in the coming weeks. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Volkswagen will address these concerns and what steps, if any, the company will take to conduct a more comprehensive and transparent assessment of its operations in Xinjiang.

An independent audit commissioned by Volkswagen to assess labour conditions at its joint venture facility in Xinjiang, China, has come under scrutiny for failing to adhere to key aspects of the international standard the company claimed to have followed, according to a recent report by the Financial Times.

An independent audit commissioned by Volkswagen to assess labour conditions at its joint venture facility in Xinjiang, China, has come under scrutiny for failing to adhere to key aspects of the international standard the company claimed to have followed, according to a recent report by the Financial Times. The audit, conducted in 2023, was intended to address concerns raised by investors regarding potential forced labour practices at the site, which is co-owned by SAIC in a region where human rights organisations have documented widespread abuses, including mass detention and forced labour. The Chinese government has consistently denied these allegations. Upon obtaining the full audit report, the Financial Times uncovered several discrepancies between the actual process and the standards Volkswagen had publicly committed to upholding. One of the most significant issues was the manner in which worker interviews were conducted. Contrary to the requirement for confidentiality, these interviews were reportedly live-streamed to a law firm's headquarters in Shenzhen, potentially compromising the workers' ability to speak freely without fear of repercussions. The audit's methodology appeared to be flawed in its approach to investigating forced labour concerns. The report indicates that only managerial staff were questioned about issues related to forced labour, raising doubts about the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the findings. Volkswagen had previously stated that the audit was conducted in accordance with the SA8000 standard, a widely recognised benchmark for assessing workplace conditions across eight key areas, including child labour, forced labour, and health and safety. According to the Financial Times, when asked for a comment the company clarified that the SA8000 standard was used only as a "basis" for the audit, rather than being fully implemented. Adding to the concerns surrounding the audit's credibility, the Financial Times discovered that neither Loening Human Rights & Responsible Business GmbH, the German firm hired by Volkswagen to conduct the audit, nor Liangma, the Chinese law firm involved in the process, were accredited to perform SA8000 audits according to Social Accountability International, which is the body responsible for setting these standards. When the summary of the audit report was released in late 2023, it concluded that there were no signs of forced labour at the Xinjiang facility. However, the auditors acknowledged the well-known challenges associated with data collection in China, particularly in the context of worker interviews. The revelations about the audit's shortcomings have prompted mixed reactions. Several senior staff members at Loening have reportedly distanced themselves from the audit, while some of Volkswagen's investors have responded cautiously to the results, urging the automaker to conduct further investigations into the plant's operations. In response to these findings, Volkswagen has maintained that despite not receiving an official SA8000 certification, they implemented "alternative ethical guidelines and management reviews" to ensure adherence to appropriate standards. However, the discrepancies highlighted by the Financial Times report raise significant questions about the thoroughness and reliability of the audit process. The full audit report has also been obtained by other media outlets, including Germany's Der Spiegel and ZDF, suggesting that this issue may continue to attract attention and scrutiny in the coming weeks. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Volkswagen will address these concerns and what steps, if any, the company will take to conduct a more comprehensive and transparent assessment of its operations in Xinjiang.

Volkswagen's audit of Xinjiang plant fails to meet international standard, report

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/exclusive-indias-e-commerce-curbs-could-hit-online-sales-by-46-billion-by-2022-pwc-draft-analysis-190994">India's curbs on e-commerce could hit online sales by $46 billion by 2022: PwC draft analysis</a>

India's new foreign investment restrictions for its e-commerce sector, which includes giants such as Amazon.com Inc and Walmart-owned Flipkart, could reduce online sales by $46 billion by 2022, according to a draft analysis from global consultants PwC seen by Reuters.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/meghalaya-mine-rescue-navy-divers-are-seeing-skeletons-say-sources-191021">Meghalaya mine rescue: Navy divers are seeing skeletons, say sources</a>

The navy divers helping in the Meghalaya mine rescue are reportedly seeing skeletons through their remotely-operated vehicles, the news agency ANI quoted sources as saying on Thursday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/volkswagen-india-says-it-will-pay-rs-100-crore-fine-it-was-ordered-to-cough-up-within-24-hours-191039">Volkswagen India says it will pay Rs 100 crore fine it was ordered to cough up within 24 hours</a>

Volkswagen India said Thursday that its cars are compliant with Indian emission norms but that it would still pay the Rs 100 crore fine the National Green Tribunal had ordered it to.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaitley-accuses-compulsive-contrarians-of-subverting-democracy-190979">Jaitley, in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaitley-accuses-compulsive-contrarians-of-subverting-democracy-190979">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaitley-accuses-compulsive-contrarians-of-subverting-democracy-190979"> for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaitley-accuses-compulsive-contrarians-of-subverting-democracy-190979">medical</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaitley-accuses-compulsive-contrarians-of-subverting-democracy-190979"> check-up, says 'Compulsive Contrarians' subverting democracy</a>

Terming opposition parties as 'Compulsive Contrarians', Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday accused them of manufacturing falsehood and subverting democracy by weakening an elected government.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/5-pakistanis-killed-in-retaliatory-fire-across-loc-in-last-few-days-indian-army-190995">5 Pakistanis killed in retaliatory fire across LoC in last few days: Indian Army</a>

The Indian Army said Thursday that five Pakistani soldiers had been killed in the last few days in retaliatory fire across the Line of Control.&nbsp;

Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said "it shows that Indian Army is always ready to give them a befitting reply".

India's curbs on e-commerce could hit online sales by $46 billion by 2022: PwC draft analysis India's new foreign investment restrictions for its e-commerce sector, which includes giants such as Amazon.

India's curbs on e-commerce could hit online sales by $46 billion by 2022: PwC draft analysis India's new foreign investment restrictions for its e-commerce sector, which includes giants such as Amazon.com Inc and Walmart-owned Flipkart, could reduce online sales by $46 billion by 2022, according to a draft analysis from global consultants PwC seen by Reuters. Meghalaya mine rescue: Navy divers are seeing skeletons, say sources The navy divers helping in the Meghalaya mine rescue are reportedly seeing skeletons through their remotely-operated vehicles, the news agency ANI quoted sources as saying on Thursday. Volkswagen India says it will pay Rs 100 crore fine it was ordered to cough up within 24 hours Volkswagen India said Thursday that its cars are compliant with Indian emission norms but that it would still pay the Rs 100 crore fine the National Green Tribunal had ordered it to. Jaitley, in US for medical check-up, says 'Compulsive Contrarians' subverting democracy Terming opposition parties as 'Compulsive Contrarians', Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday accused them of manufacturing falsehood and subverting democracy by weakening an elected government. 5 Pakistanis killed in retaliatory fire across LoC in last few days: Indian Army The Indian Army said Thursday that five Pakistani soldiers had been killed in the last few days in retaliatory fire across the Line of Control. Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said "it shows that Indian Army is always ready to give them a befitting reply".

News brief: Big stories of the day

Volkswagen has launched its 2017 Passat in India with a starting price of Rs 29.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The new Passat is here, pushing the boundaries of engineering and luxury. Yet again. 
Know more -&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/Nt4OaH9HdJ">https://t.co/Nt4OaH9HdJ</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FeelThePresence?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FeelThePresence</a> <a href="https://t.co/lDc1HBklDH">pic.twitter.com/lDc1HBklDH</a>
&mdash; Volkswagen India (@volkswagenindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/volkswagenindia/status/917662994842107904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The new model is Volkswagen&#39;s first sedan in India.&nbsp;It has been designed with Volkswagen&#39;s Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform.&nbsp;

This is the first car that comes with nine airbags in its segment.&nbsp;

The car has been adorned with features like Panoramic Sunroof, Nappa leather seat upholstery, reverse camera with a 360 degeree view, park assist and App connect.&nbsp;

The model will be available in two variants:&nbsp;Comfort line&nbsp;and High line, and in six colours - Oryx white, Deep Black Pearl Effect, Black oak brown metallic,&nbsp;Brit silver metallic, Atlantic blue metallic and Mangan Grey metallic.

The automaker has already started the production of the model at its Aurangabad facility.&nbsp;

Introduced in the International market in 2014, the model has already been on sale in the global market for the past two years.&nbsp;

The new launch from Volkswagen will compete with Toyota Camry, Honda Accord&nbsp;and the Skoda Superb.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Welcome the new Volkswagen Passat! So advanced, you&#39;ll surely <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FeelThePresence?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FeelThePresence</a> <a href="https://t.co/DGqj4ibPr3">https://t.co/DGqj4ibPr3</a> <a href="https://t.co/zuWEKz811i">https://t.co/zuWEKz811i</a>
&mdash; Volkswagen India (@volkswagenindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/volkswagenindia/status/917639356654936064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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While the Passat Comfortline has been launched at Rs 29.99 lakh, the Highline is priced at Rs 32.99 lakh.&nbsp;

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While the Passat Comfortline has been launched at Rs 29.99 lakh, the Highline is priced at Rs 32.99 lakh

Volkswagen has launched its 2017 Passat in India with a starting price of Rs 29.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The new Passat is here, pushing the boundaries of engineering and luxury. Yet again. Know more - https://t.co/Nt4OaH9HdJ#FeelThePresence pic.twitter.com/lDc1HBklDH — Volkswagen India (@volkswagenindia) October 10, 2017 × The new model is Volkswagen's first sedan in India. It has been designed with Volkswagen's Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform. This is the first car that comes with nine airbags in its segment. The car has been adorned with features like Panoramic Sunroof, Nappa leather seat upholstery, reverse camera with a 360 degeree view, park assist and App connect. The model will be available in two variants: Comfort line and High line, and in six colours - Oryx white, Deep Black Pearl Effect, Black oak brown metallic, Brit silver metallic, Atlantic blue metallic and Mangan Grey metallic. The automaker has already started the production of the model at its Aurangabad facility. Introduced in the International market in 2014, the model has already been on sale in the global market for the past two years. The new launch from Volkswagen will compete with Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and the Skoda Superb. Welcome the new Volkswagen Passat! So advanced, you'll surely #FeelThePresence https://t.co/DGqj4ibPr3 https://t.co/zuWEKz811i — Volkswagen India (@volkswagenindia) October 10, 2017 × While the Passat Comfortline has been launched at Rs 29.99 lakh, the Highline is priced at Rs 32.99 lakh.

Volkswagen Passat launched in India @ Rs 29.99 lakh