Coercion
What is coercion?
Coercion means using force or threats to get someone to do something that they would not otherwise do.
Examples
- Example: Threatening to fire someone, unless they sign something they know to be false.
- Example: Threatening to reveal someone’s HIV status unless they are awarded a contract.
Why should you care about coercion?
- It reduces fair competition and drives up the price of medicines and health products.
- It prevents Global Fund programs from achieving their full impact.
- It discourages honest, qualified suppliers from participating in Global Fund grant activities.
- It facilitates the supply of sub-standard health products.
How do you spot coercion?
Coercion can have the following red flags:
- Individuals are threatened either physically or psychologically.
- Processes are influenced to achieve particular results and to favor certain individuals or entities.
- Employees are retaliated against for challenging the actions of line managers or other superiors.
- Employees are discouraged from speaking out.
- Procedures for reporting irregularities do not exist or are ineffective
- Applicable policies and procedures do not exist or are not made available
