Over 2,000 Muslim-owned restaurants in Malaysia have taken Coca-Cola off the menu in an effort to support global boycotts against Israel. Local organizations are encouraging employees of Coca-Cola, as well as Starbucks and other companies, to quit their jobs.
Coca-Cola is effectively pretty freaked out. Nearly 60% of its workforce in Malaysia is Muslim. Although Malaysia’s unemployment rate is only 3.2%, I can see how its workers would be fearful of quitting their jobs; on the other hand, Coca-Cola losing 60% of its workforce would make a huge dent in the local Coca-Cola business.
Incidentally, Coca-Cola’s support of Israel isn’t the only reason to boycott; according to InMinds:
Trade unions around the world have launched a boycott of Coca-Cola products, alleging that the company’s locally owned bottlers in Colombia used illegal paramilitary groups to intimidate, threaten and kill its workers.
More details on the many reasons to boycott Coca-Cola.
Related posts:
- Bad and Good Theft
- Indonesia Tennis Boycotts Israel
- On Academic Boycotts — Papers from the Cancelled Conference
- Sweden Boycotts Israeli Air Force
- A Cultural Boycott of Israel
Since we’re referencing Malaysia, care to report on all the really awful things going on there?
Or just when they’re criticizing Israel?
Posted by Joe | January 12, 2009, 10:04 pmI admittedly don’t know enough about Malaysia to do so most of the time. Feel free to send me stories for analysis.
Posted by Jillian | January 14, 2009, 8:13 am