Multinational agribusiness Socfin recently terminated its eight-year collaboration with sustainability consultancy Earthworm Foundation, raising concerns over the fate of unresolved complaints from communities near its plantations.
A Partnership Born from Controversy
A Partnership Born from Controversy (Image Credits: Imgs.mongabay.com)
In 2017, Socfin faced widespread allegations of human rights abuses and environmental damage at its operations across Africa and Southeast Asia. The company turned to Switzerland-based Earthworm Foundation for independent assessments. Earthworm’s probes confirmed numerous community grievances, including serious issues like sexual misconduct.
This marked the start of a formal partnership in April 2017, under which Socfin adopted a Responsible Management Policy. Earthworm supported investigations and grievance handling over the years. Field teams visited multiple sites to address concerns raised by local residents. The collaboration aimed to boost transparency and implement corrective actions.
Deep Dive Investigations Uncover Persistent Issues
Earthworm conducted a two-year probe into 139 complaints from affected communities, validating a majority – around 69 percent – in mid-2025. Grievances spanned labor violations, coerced sexual relations, land disputes, and forced evictions at plantations in countries like Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Cambodia.
Specific sites included Socapalm in Cameroon, Salala Rubber Corporation in Liberia, and Socfin Agricultural Company in Sierra Leone. Phase 1 of investigations ran from March to June 2023, followed by expanded Phase 2 starting August 2023. Reports detailed findings and recommendations for each location. Socfin pledged action plans in response.
- Socapalm’s Edéa, Mbongo, and Mbambou plantations in Cameroon faced scrutiny over social and environmental claims.
- Okomu Oil Palm in Nigeria and Socfin-KCD in Cambodia also underwent reviews.
- SOGB in Côte d’Ivoire received a separate investigation, with its report nearing completion.
- Overall, 306 complaints required targeted measures, with 60 percent reportedly addressed by late 2025.
The Sudden Split and Its Implications
On November 26, 2025, both parties announced the end of their formal partnership as a mutual decision. Earthworm noted Socfin’s progress in transparency and policy implementation across diverse operations. Stakeholders now must contact Socfin directly for updates on action plans.
Critics, including NGOs, worry this move stalls redress for ongoing issues. Communities had relied on Earthworm’s system to track complaint resolutions step by step. Without it, fears grow that abuses like violence and land grabs will persist unchecked. Socfin maintains commitment to responsible practices independently.
Key Takeaways
- The partnership delivered investigations confirming most grievances but left many unresolved.
- Earthworm’s role in grievance management ends, shifting responsibility to Socfin.
- Affected regions span eight countries, highlighting broad operational challenges.
Socfin’s plantations continue operations amid calls for stronger accountability. Community advocates urge renewed independent oversight to ensure promises translate into real change. What steps will Socfin take next to address these voices? Share your thoughts in the comments.
