ERM worked with a private equity investor to review potential human rights issues associated with its investment in a confidential paper recycling plant in North Africa. The plant had a number of potential human rights issues in its supply chain, particularly in relation to significant numbers of informal workers.

ERM visited the site as well as its potential suppliers, and spoke with management and both formal and informal workers. In this way, we are able to identify the potential human rights risks and build management awareness of why these risks must be addressed. Then we helped develop actions to remediate the risks, allowing the investment to have a positive impact.