The National Agency for the Corruption Prevention (NACP) added British corporation Unilever (manufacturer of Domestos, Lipton, Axe, Dove, and many other brands) to the list of international war sponsors.
This was announcedby the NACP.
The reason was that, while operating in russia, the company pays significant taxes into the russian federal budget, thereby supporting the aggressor's economy and contributing to the continuation of russia's war against Ukraine.
In russia, Unilever employs over 3,000 workers. In 2022, the share of russian business accounted for 1.4% of Unilever's turnover and 2% of its net profit, which in 2022 increased by 24.9% compared to 2021 and amounted to 8.03 billion euros. The company's revenue rose to 60.1 billion euros (+14.5%). Unilever's sales grew in all categories, most notably in cosmetic sales (+20.8%).
The NACP says that after the start of russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, Unilever promised to stop all imports and exports of its products to the rf, as well as to halt all media and advertising spending. The company stated that their position had not changed regarding doing business in russia, however, they have not yet closed their offices in the country, with factories in Omsk, Yekaterinburg, St. Petersburg, and Tula continuing their operations.
"Such actions of the company indicate its reluctance to join the coalition of honest and responsible business that has chosen the side of democracy and freedom. By financing the russian federal budget with significant revenues, Unilever supports the russian economy and therefore supports the actions of the aggressor," the statement said.
Background. As a reminder, after the start of the russian invasion of Ukraine, Unilever sold its sauce production business in russia, but there are still sites for the production of ice cream in Tula Oblast and Omsk, production of tea, cosmetics and household chemicals in St. Petersburg, and cosmetics production in Yekaterinburg.