Complaints filed to CAO may concern environmental and social harm regarding any aspect of the planning, implementation, or impact of an IFC or MIGA project or related sub-project.
CAO has three eligibility criteria for accepting a complaint: i) the complaint pertains to an active IFC/MIGA project; ii) it raises environmental and social concerns; and iii) the complainant is, or may be, affected by the harm mentioned in the complaint. Once a complaint is deemed eligible, CAO will initiate an assessment unless the complainant chooses to refer the complaint to IFC/MIGA or the client for early resolution.
Eligible Complaints
Complaint raises concerns connected with the land acquisition process for the project. Following the expropriation process for part of her land, the complainant was left with two parcels on either side of the highway, both entirely in the highway protection zone.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Assessment
Complaint alleges negative environmental and social impacts including forced eviction, impacts on livelihood and lack of adequate stakeholder consultation, air and water pollution, community health, safety and security, lack of access to children’s education, safety and welfare, gender-based violence, climate impacts and impacts on cultural heritage.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Assessment
IFC MLF & MIFA Debt Fund-04
Complaint alleges negative social impacts including possible loss or decrease of livelihood, threats and intimidation by project employees and decrease in children’s education.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Assessment
IFC MLF-09
Complaint alleges negative social impacts including possible loss or decrease of livelihood, threats and intimidation by project employees and decrease in food supply for family.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Assessment
IFC MLF-06
Complaint alleges negative social impacts including possible loss or decrease of livelihood, threats and intimidation by project employees and decrease in children’s education.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Assessment
IFC MLF-08
Complaint alleges negative social impacts including possible loss or decrease of livelihood, loss of land, threats and intimidation by project employees and decrease in children’s education.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Assessment
Complaint raises concerns including increased pollution from urea fertilizer transportation and production; negative impacts on community health, safety, and security; inadequate stakeholder engagement and improper public consultation; community access to employment opportunities; and IFC’s non-compliance with the Sustainability Framework.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Assessment
Complaint raises PS1 & PS2 concerns and in particular: issues related to non-renewal of contract, and threats and retaliation for accessing the projects’ grievance mechanism.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Assessment
Complaint raises PS1 & PS6 concerns, in particular: adverse impacts on biodiversity, specifically migratory birds, including transboundary impacts.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Assessment
Allegations of unfair treatment and other labor issues.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Assessment
Complaint raises several E&S issues particularly: lack of information and consultation, loss of land and income, destruction of crops and impacts on agricultural land, and , insufficient compensation.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Update: In August 2024, CAO's assessment concluded that the planned transmission line does not relate to an active IFC/MIGA project.
Assessment
Complaint raises numerous labor/PS2 concerns, specifically in relation to working conditions and terms of employment, workers organizations, Non-discrimination, retaliation/grievance mechanism, occupational health and safety.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Assessment - Case Paused
Once a complaint is deemed eligible, complainants may choose to refer their complaint to IFC/MIGA or the client for an attempt at early resolution. CAO will only refer complaints to IFC, MIGA, or the client with the complainants' consent. Complainants may notify CAO at any time if they wish to resume the CAO process.
Eligible Complaints - Referred to IFC, MIGA or Client
PTCL Acquisition
IFC/MIGA Exposure:
PTCL Acquisition (#48543)
Complaint raises terms and conditions of employment and welfare concerns
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Referred to IFC at the request of the complainant
Morava Highway-02
Complaint alleges multiple adverse social impacts including: (i) irregular land expropriation process and livelihood impacts, (ii) inadequate stakeholder consultation, (iii) destruction of village infrastructure, and (iv) lack of effective judicial or other mechanisms to address concerns about the expropriation process.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Referred to MIGA at the request of the complainant.
Nachtigal Hydropower Company
Issues of loss of livelihood means, income and subsequent lack of compensation; loss of access to the area in which employment and income was generated, and other subsistence activities, such as fishing, were done, and; lack of consultation and information before and after the economic displacement.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Referred to IFC & MIGA, at the request of the complainant.
Zambeef III ZMW
Issues of Environmental Impact Assessment, Stakeholder Engagement, Transparency and Disclosure and National Legal Requirements.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Referred to MIGA at the request of the complainant.
Zarafshon Wind
Allegations of adverse E&S impacts on land, water, and livelihood.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Referred to MIGA at the request of the complainant.
Benban Solar Park 5
Labor allegations related to termination and payment packages, health issues.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Referred to MIGA at the request of the complainant.
Karot Hydro Power
Allegations regarding lack of compensation for land acquisitions, allegedly unfulfilled promises to build facilities for health, technical education, roads, and other supposed project benefits.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Referred to IFC, at the request of the complainants.
Karot Hydro Power
Allegations regarding lack of compensation and other concerns related to land acquisitions, flooding of village and environmental concerns which have allegedly impacted livelihoods and sources of income, and lack of benefits from the project.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Referred to IFC, at the request of the complainants.
Izmir Water and Sewerage Administration
Possible sewage pollution of land and water, biodiversity and health impacts, tourism and economic displacement due to sewage overflows.
The complaint met all 3 eligibility criteria: (1) relates to an active IFC project (2) raises environmental and social issues regarding the project (3) complainants may be affected by the harm alleged.
Referred to IFC, at the request of the complainants.
If a complaint does not meet all three of CAO's eligibility criteria, CAO deems it ineligible, and the complaint is closed.
Ineligible Complaints
Alleged concerns with land acquisition and related compensation.
Complaint is unrelated to an active IFC or MIGA project/subproject.
Closed
Alleged labor concerns and allegations of institutional and systematic harassment by the client.
Complaint is unrelated to an active IFC or MIGA project/subproject. The complaint falls within one or more exclusion provisions under para. 42 of the CAO Policy.
Closed
Allegations of lack of free, prior and informed consent consultations with indigenous communities.
Complainants are not affected by the harm raised in the complaint. The complaints fall within one or more exclusion provisions under paragraph 42 of the CAO policy.
Closed
Allegations of displacement, impacts on water resources, biodiversity and climate change.
Complaint is unrelated to an active IFC or MIGA project/sub-project. There is also no material link between the IFC/MIGA financial client and the sub-client/sub-project complained about. IFC's client is not providing insurance coverage to any of the sub-projects mentioned in the complaint.
Closed
Allegations of unfair termination and working safety hazards related to road rehabilitation project.
Complaint is unrelated to an active IFC or MIGA project/sub-project. The complaint was determined ineligible since neither IFC or MIGA are participating in the alleged project.
Closed
Allegations of working, health and livelihood impacts related to cement particles.
Complaint relates to a project where an IFC/MIGA exit from an investment or project has occurred.
Closed
Allegations of involuntary resettlement and impacts on livelihood due to highway project.
Complaint is unrelated to an active IFC or MIGA project/sub-project. The complaint was determined ineligible since neither IFC or MIGA are participating in the alleged project.
Closed
Allegations of fraudulent activity, unfair massive dismissal and collaboration with armed rebel groups, which affected employees' livelihood and security.
massive dismissal and collaboration with armed rebel groups, which affected employees' livelihood and security Complaint is unrelated to an active IFC or MIGA project/subproject. The complaint was determined ineligible since neither IFC or MIGA are participating in the alleged project.
Closed
Allegations of involuntary resettlement and impacts on livelihood due to highway project.
Complaint is unrelated to an active IFC or MIGA project/sub-project. The complaint was determined ineligible since neither IFC or MIGA are participating in the alleged project.
Closed
Labor dispute allegations.
Complaint is unrelated to an active IFC or MIGA project/sub-project, and issues raised do not pertain to CAO’s mandate to address environmental and social impacts of an IFC or MIFA project.
Closed
Allegations regarding social issues related to client relations in Bangladesh. Unprofessional behavior alleged.
Complaint is unrelated to an active IFC or MIGA project/sub-project. The complaint was determined ineligible as IFC's investment was pending IFC management approval (under delegated authority from the IFC Board of Directors).
Closed
Allegations regarding social issues related to client relations in Bangladesh. Unprofessional behavior and gender discrimination alleged.
Complaint is unrelated to an active IFC or MIGA project/sub-project. The complaint was determined ineligible as IFC's investment was pending IFC management approval (under delegated authority from the IFC Board of Directors). According to CAO Policy and with the complainant's consent, the complaint was shared with IFC management.
Referred to IFC Management (pre-approval) - Closed