Wednesday, August 25, 2010
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR INDIA:
END VIOLENCE AGAINST VIVA GLOBAL WORKERS:
The following appeal for solidarity with workers at Viva Global in Gurgaon India comes from the Clean Clothes Campaign.
VGVGVGVGVG
Union leaders kidnapped: take action now!
Take action now to condemn the kidnapping of two trade union leaders at a Marks & Spencer (M&S) supplier factory in India and call for their immediate and safe return. The kidnappings are part of a brutal attack against 60 workers, which took place as they arrived for work at the Viva Global factory in Gurgaon, India.
The workers were attacked by thugs brandishing hockey and lathi sticks as they arrived for their shift at 9:30am Delhi time on the 25th August 2010. One of the thugs has been identified as the labour contractor used by Viva Global to provide workers to the factory. Sixteen women were severely beaten and two union leaders were kidnapped. Their whereabouts remains unknown.
The attack follows months of union campaigning to improve working conditions at Viva Global. Workers complain of excessive and forced overtime, wages below the minimum wage, verbal and physical abuse, failure to pay mandated social security, lack of drinking water and a host of other serious violations.
Harassment of union members, including threats of dismissal, violence and even death has been increasing at the factory in recent weeks. On Monday 23rd August Viva Global management attempted to prevent workers from entering the factory and made threats against union leaders and workers, who were warned they would be beaten or even shot if they continued their campaign.
The same day a tripartite meeting was held between Viva Global Management the Labour Department and the Garment and Allied Workers Union (GAWU). An agreement was reached that all workers would be reinstated and the threats of violence against workers would immediately cease.
The Viva Global workers, along with a large number of local supporters, are holding an ongoing demonstration outside Viva Global. The President of the union, Anannya Bhattacharjee has declared an indefinite hunger strike until her union colleagues are safely returned.
Updates will be posted on the Twitter feed and Facebook pages of our UK member organisation as news comes in. Sign up to receive these updates at www.twitter.com/labourlabel or http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Labour-Behind-the-Label/149595231718129
Please send an email today to Viva Global management to demand that:
•they do everything in their power to ensure that the two kidnapped workers are immediately and safely returned
•all violence and intimidation against union members is stopped immediately
•workers locked out from the factory are reinstated as per the agreement with the Labour Department.
VGVGVGVGVG
Union leaders kidnapped: take action now!
Take action now to condemn the kidnapping of two trade union leaders at a Marks & Spencer (M&S) supplier factory in India and call for their immediate and safe return. The kidnappings are part of a brutal attack against 60 workers, which took place as they arrived for work at the Viva Global factory in Gurgaon, India.
The workers were attacked by thugs brandishing hockey and lathi sticks as they arrived for their shift at 9:30am Delhi time on the 25th August 2010. One of the thugs has been identified as the labour contractor used by Viva Global to provide workers to the factory. Sixteen women were severely beaten and two union leaders were kidnapped. Their whereabouts remains unknown.
The attack follows months of union campaigning to improve working conditions at Viva Global. Workers complain of excessive and forced overtime, wages below the minimum wage, verbal and physical abuse, failure to pay mandated social security, lack of drinking water and a host of other serious violations.
Harassment of union members, including threats of dismissal, violence and even death has been increasing at the factory in recent weeks. On Monday 23rd August Viva Global management attempted to prevent workers from entering the factory and made threats against union leaders and workers, who were warned they would be beaten or even shot if they continued their campaign.
The same day a tripartite meeting was held between Viva Global Management the Labour Department and the Garment and Allied Workers Union (GAWU). An agreement was reached that all workers would be reinstated and the threats of violence against workers would immediately cease.
The Viva Global workers, along with a large number of local supporters, are holding an ongoing demonstration outside Viva Global. The President of the union, Anannya Bhattacharjee has declared an indefinite hunger strike until her union colleagues are safely returned.
Updates will be posted on the Twitter feed and Facebook pages of our UK member organisation as news comes in. Sign up to receive these updates at www.twitter.com/labourlabel or http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Labour-Behind-the-Label/149595231718129
Please send an email today to Viva Global management to demand that:
•they do everything in their power to ensure that the two kidnapped workers are immediately and safely returned
•all violence and intimidation against union members is stopped immediately
•workers locked out from the factory are reinstated as per the agreement with the Labour Department.
VGVGVGVGVG
THE LETTER:
Please go to this link to end the following letter to Viva Global's management.
VGVGVGVGVG
Letter to Viva Global
Dear Mr Vohra,
I am writing to express my shock and outrage at the kidnapping of two union leaders and the severe beating of sixteen workers, which I understand took place on the morning of August 25th 2010.
I understand that the Garment and Allied Workers Union have taken every effort to engage with your company in order to improve conditions within the Viva Global factory. Instead of respecting the views and rights of your workers it appears Viva Global have instead worked to intimidate and threaten them.
Such attacks on workers are inexcusable and cause the reputation of your factory serious harm. Therefore I urge you to take steps to ensure the immediate and safe return of the two workers. I also call on you to refrain from using violence and intimidation to repress your workers and to comply with the agreement made with by your company at the Department of Labour on the 23rd August to immediately reinstate all contract workers to their previous positions.
Hoping you will resolve this issue as soon as possible,
VGVGVGVGVG
Letter to Viva Global
Dear Mr Vohra,
I am writing to express my shock and outrage at the kidnapping of two union leaders and the severe beating of sixteen workers, which I understand took place on the morning of August 25th 2010.
I understand that the Garment and Allied Workers Union have taken every effort to engage with your company in order to improve conditions within the Viva Global factory. Instead of respecting the views and rights of your workers it appears Viva Global have instead worked to intimidate and threaten them.
Such attacks on workers are inexcusable and cause the reputation of your factory serious harm. Therefore I urge you to take steps to ensure the immediate and safe return of the two workers. I also call on you to refrain from using violence and intimidation to repress your workers and to comply with the agreement made with by your company at the Department of Labour on the 23rd August to immediately reinstate all contract workers to their previous positions.
Hoping you will resolve this issue as soon as possible,
Labels: Clean Clothes Campaign, India, international labour, labour, repression, solidarity., Viva Global
Friday, July 09, 2010
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR TURKEY:
KEEP UP THE PRESSURE ON PRADA SUPPLIER 'DESA':
Molly has blogged before on the case of the harassment of workers at the DESA leather factory in Duzce Turkey. Despite the signing of a protocol between DESA and its European buyers (which include the Prada brand) the company is continuing to harass union members at the workplace. The Clean Clothes Campaign is asking people to once more put pressure on DEAS and its customers to see that the agreement is actually implemented. Here's the story and appeal.
ILILILILIL
Trade union harassment continues at Prada supplier
It is with great regret that the Clean Clothes Campaign is reopening the campaign to demand justice for workers at the DESA leather factory in Duzce, Turkey.
This decision follows failure by both DESA management and the European buyers to implement and support a protocol signed by DESA and the union Deri Is over six months ago.
We are calling on supporters to contact DESA and the buyers at the factory to express your disappointment in their failure to uphold the rights of DESA workers and to urge them to ensure that the protocol is properly implemented and to take steps to proactively support freedom of association at the factory.
Latest update
In recent months workers report that harassment by supervisors of union members is increasing. At least one worker has filed a legal suit against a supervisor charging him with this offence.
Of particular concern is the decision of DESA to fire two union members, both on the ground of allegations disputed by the workers.
Ümit Ugurlu was dismissed on 13 May 2010. Allegedly, his employment contract was terminated without notice because he injured his friend’s finger. However, workers who witnessed the incident refute the allegation and claim that Necati Ata (the injured worker) pulled on the glove of Mr Ugurlu and at the same time crashed his machine. The union has started legal action for reinstatement.
On June 9th a second worker, Cemal Uyar was refused entry back into the factory following two days sick leave. The personnel department informed him that his employment contract was terminated without notice because he did not come to work without asking for permission and that during this time it was confirmed he was working at another workplace.
Given the past history of illegal dismissals by DESA, we would expect them to to ensure that any worker dismissals took place only after a full and proper grievance procedure and investigation. The fact that DESA management now feel free to start dismissing union members without due process is yet another indication of the deteriorating situation inside the factory.
Background
A Memorandum of Understanding between the union Deri Is and DESA was signed in August 2009 following a year-long international campaign against the unfair practices of DESA, a Turkish leather supplier of major European luxury brands such as Prada, Mulberry, Debenhams, Marks and Spencer and El Corte Ingles.
The MOU stated that the international campaign would be halted on the understanding that DESA would reinstate several of the dismissed workers, issue a right to organise guarantee, recognise Deri Is as the sole union at the factory and commit to expressing neither a positive or negative attitude towards the unionisation of its workers.
The CCC has continued to monitor the situation in Turkey, to check the implementation of the agreement through a permanent dialogue with the trade union. Since the beginning it was clear that the protocol was the beginning of a new stage during which workers must be made aware of their rights and be reassured that the exercise of their rights would not lead to dismissals or reprisals. To make this process credible and genuine would have required a change of direction by Desa and a proactive support by the brands.
A Clean Clothes Campaign delegation visited Turkey in December 2009, during which they met around 35 Desa workers together with Deri Is representatives. The interviews conducted revealed that the protocol had been breached in in the following ways:
•Workers identified by Deri Is have not been reinstated
•The Right to Organise' guarantee as properly drafted from ITGLWF has not been distributed to the workers
•Workers are facing again episodes of repression and harassment clearly intended to avoid their unionisation
•Desa management actively interferes to try to prevent workers from joining the union.
In the light of this, in April 2010 the CCC re-contacted all the buyers and informed them about the ongoing violations of the agreement. We urged them to work with DESA to end to the harassment of workers and to fully implement with the protocol in cooperation with Deri Is.
Only small number of buyers responded, all stating that they visited the factory and did not see any harassment taking place and were confident there was no malpractice at the factory. None of the buyers spoke to or contacted the union or union members. None of them responded at all to our detailed requests for concrete action.
Write today to Desa buyers and Desa factory management. Call on them to properly implement the protocol agreement and to take all necessary measures to ensure an atmosphere free from intimidation at the factory.
ILILILILIL
THE LETTER:
Please go to this link to send the following letters to both DESA management and to the buyers group.
ILILILILIL
Letter to buyers
Dear Madam / Sir,
I am extremely disappointed to learn that the Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed between DESA and Deri Is in 2009, has not been properly implemented by DESA management. I am particularly concerned at the harassment of union members and the recent dismissals of two of your workers without following proper procedure.
I urgently call upon you to take immediate and transparent action to ensure that the protocol is fully implemented. Specifically I call on you to:
•Contact DESA management and ask them to immediately halt the harassment of union members, and to abide by the letter and spirit of the August protocol;
•Demand the reinstatement of both Ferda Yilmaz and Emel Yavuz as agreed in the August negotiations;
•Ensure that an official Right to Organise guarantee is distributed, based on the model drafted by the ITGLWF;
•Support and monitor an official complaints mechanism. Such a mechanism must include a worker representative nominated by the union;
•Ask DESA to ensure regular meetings take place with Deri Is representatives and to send notes from each meeting to all interested parties including Deri Is and the major buyers;
•Include trade union representatives in any ongoing monitoring and maintain regular contact with them;
•Specify that you expect orders for your company to be completed at the Duzce factory and not subcontracted to other suppliers in Turkey
•Carry out training for management, supervisors and workers on the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Such training should be carried out by parties agreed upon by Deri Is and ITGLWF.
Yours sincerely,
Letter to DESA
Dear Mr. Celet,
I am extremely concerned about the breaching of the Memorandum of Understanding which was signed between your company and Deri Is. I am particularly concerned at the harassment of union members and the recent dismissals of two of your workers without following proper procedure.
While initially shocked by the working conditions and workers rights abuses found in your factory I was hopeful that DESA was now moving towards being a factory where workers fundamental rights were respected.
I urgently call upon you to fully respect the protocol signed with Deri Is.
Specifically I call on you to:
•immediately halt the harassment of union members and to abide by the letter and spirit of the August protocol;
•reinstate both Ferda Yilmaz and Emel Yavuz as agreed in the August negotiations;
•ensure that an official Right to Organise guarantee is distributed, based on the model drafted by the ITGLWF;
•establish an official complaints mechanism, including a buyers representative, which can receive and investigate complaints of harassment or intimidation and support re-mediation in each case. Such a mechanism must include a worker representative nominated by the union;
•ensure that regular meetings take place with Deri Is representatives and send notes from each meeting to all interested parties including Deri Is and the major buyers;
•include trade union representatives in any ongoing monitoring and maintain regular contact with them;
•carry out training for management, supervisors and workers on the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Such training should be carried out by parties agreed upon by Deri Is and ITGLWF.
I look forward to hearing that DESA is once again working towards a more positive relationship with the Deri Is union.
Yours sincerely,
Labels: Clean Clothes Campaign, DESA, international labour, labour, Prada, solidarity., Turkey
Saturday, June 12, 2010
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR:
SWEATSHOPS AND SOCCER:
It's day 2 of the World Cup in South Africa, and ties seem to be the order of the day. Yesterday it was Mexico/South Africa 1/1. Today it's Britain/USA also 1/1. No clear winners here. behind the scenes, however, there are definite losers...the workers in east and south Asia who work in brutal sweatshops manufacturing the soccer balls used in the games. It seems that there is more wrong with these balls than just poor aerodynamics. Here's the story and an appeal from the Clean Clothes Campaign.
ALALALALALALAL
Soccer Ball Stitchers Need Your Support!
Make your voice be heard today to put pressure on FIFA. New research reveals that workers stitching soccer balls in Pakistan, India, China and Thailand continue to experience alarming labour rights violations.
Problems highlighted in the report are:
•child labour still exists in the Pakistani industry especially within home-based work.
•gender discrimination of female home-based workers, being paid the least and facing the constant thread of losing their jobs due to pregnancy;
•overtime working hours as in one Chinese factory, where workers were found to work up to 21 hours a day every day for an entire month;
•the lack of proper drinking water or medical care facilities, and even toilets, as found in Indian stitching centres.
About 75% of the over 200 workers interviewed in Pakistan were not permanent workers and therefore didn’t have access to benefits and social security.
Over the past decade, regular reports of violations of human rights in soccer ball production have been presented to key players in the industry including global brands and FIFA.
The CCC is shocked that after all of these years, low wages and other labour rights violations are still the norm and not the exception in the industry. Please remind FIFA that they are responsible for their sport, and that as fans worldwide get excited about the games, the public expects the soccer ball industry to finally live up to its promises.
Send a letter to FIFA now!
Thanks for your support.
ALALALALALALAL
Soccer Ball Stitchers Need Your Support!
Make your voice be heard today to put pressure on FIFA. New research reveals that workers stitching soccer balls in Pakistan, India, China and Thailand continue to experience alarming labour rights violations.
Problems highlighted in the report are:
•child labour still exists in the Pakistani industry especially within home-based work.
•gender discrimination of female home-based workers, being paid the least and facing the constant thread of losing their jobs due to pregnancy;
•overtime working hours as in one Chinese factory, where workers were found to work up to 21 hours a day every day for an entire month;
•the lack of proper drinking water or medical care facilities, and even toilets, as found in Indian stitching centres.
About 75% of the over 200 workers interviewed in Pakistan were not permanent workers and therefore didn’t have access to benefits and social security.
Over the past decade, regular reports of violations of human rights in soccer ball production have been presented to key players in the industry including global brands and FIFA.
The CCC is shocked that after all of these years, low wages and other labour rights violations are still the norm and not the exception in the industry. Please remind FIFA that they are responsible for their sport, and that as fans worldwide get excited about the games, the public expects the soccer ball industry to finally live up to its promises.
Send a letter to FIFA now!
Thanks for your support.
ALALALALALALAL
THE LETTER:
Please go to this link to read more and to send the following letter to Joseph Blatter, President of FIFA
ALALALALALALAL
Dear Sir,
On June 7th, 2010 the International Labour Rights Forum released a detailed report "Missed the Goal for Workers: the Reality of Soccer Ball Stitchers" highlighting industry wide labour rights violations. In particular, ILRF's research identified some FIFA licensees in Pakistan with connections to child labour, poverty wages and extensive use of temporary labourers.
The research shows that child labour still exists in the Pakistani industry especially within home-based work. Other problems highlighted in this report are gender discrimination of female home-based workers, being paid the least and facing the constant thread of losing their jobs due to pregnancy; overtime working hours as in one Chinese factory, where workers were found to work up to 21 hours a day every day for an entire month; lack of proper drinking water or medical care facilities, and even toilets, as found in Indian stitching centres. About 75% of the over 200 workers interviewed in Pakistan were not permanent workers and therefore didn't have any access to benefits and social security.
Over the past decade, regular reports of violations of human rights in soccer ball production have been presented to key players in the industry including global brands and FIFA.
I am shocked that after all of these years, low wages and other labour rights violations are still the norm and not the exception in the industry. I believe FIFA is responsible for their sport, and that as fans worldwide get excited about the games, the public expects the soccer ball industry to finally live up to its promises.
Sincerely,
ALALALALALALAL
Dear Sir,
On June 7th, 2010 the International Labour Rights Forum released a detailed report "Missed the Goal for Workers: the Reality of Soccer Ball Stitchers" highlighting industry wide labour rights violations. In particular, ILRF's research identified some FIFA licensees in Pakistan with connections to child labour, poverty wages and extensive use of temporary labourers.
The research shows that child labour still exists in the Pakistani industry especially within home-based work. Other problems highlighted in this report are gender discrimination of female home-based workers, being paid the least and facing the constant thread of losing their jobs due to pregnancy; overtime working hours as in one Chinese factory, where workers were found to work up to 21 hours a day every day for an entire month; lack of proper drinking water or medical care facilities, and even toilets, as found in Indian stitching centres. About 75% of the over 200 workers interviewed in Pakistan were not permanent workers and therefore didn't have any access to benefits and social security.
Over the past decade, regular reports of violations of human rights in soccer ball production have been presented to key players in the industry including global brands and FIFA.
I am shocked that after all of these years, low wages and other labour rights violations are still the norm and not the exception in the industry. I believe FIFA is responsible for their sport, and that as fans worldwide get excited about the games, the public expects the soccer ball industry to finally live up to its promises.
Sincerely,
Labels: Clean Clothes Campaign, east Asia, international labour, labour, soccer, soccer balls, South Asia, world Cup
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-BANGLADESH:
21 DIE IN BANGLADESH FACTORY FIRE:
The following, from the Clean Clothes Campaign, is somewhat ironic, coming as close as it does to International Womens' Day on March 8. One of the events that led to the establishment of IWD was the March 25, 1911 'Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire' in which 140 workers were killed. In that case exits were also locked. La Plus Ça Change I guess.
ILILILILILILILIL
21 Workers Die at Bangladeshi Factory Fire
Bangladesh unions and international labour rights organisations are calling for immediate action from brands and the government of Bangladesh following a fatal factory fire which killed at least 21 workers and injured a further 50.
21 Workers Die at Bangladeshi Factory Fire
Bangladesh unions and international labour rights organisations are calling for immediate action from brands and the government of Bangladesh following a fatal factory fire which killed at least 21 workers and injured a further 50.
The Garib & Garib Sweater Factory in Gazipur, Bangladesh has been producing knitwear for Swedish retailer H&M, reportedly a main buyer from the factory. The company's own website cites Otto, 3Suisses International, Pimkie, Provera, Lindex, Littlewoods, Wal-Mart and JC Penny as other current and previous buyers. The CCC is currently trying to verify this and other sourcing information provided by workers.The fire, seemingly caused by an electrical short circuit, started on the first floor of the seven story building at 9.30pm on Thursday February 25. As the fire spread, workers became trapped on the floors above. It appears, from witness statements and press reports, that emergency exits were blocked, the front gate was locked and fire extinguishing equipment was either missing or inappropriate. According to one survivor, rescue efforts were further hampered by the fact that firemen had to cut the window grills to access the building and rescue the trapped workers. No-one on the scene could tell fire fighters how many workers were in the factory at the time the fire began.
The National Garment Workers Federation and other organisations supporting the workers and their families call for:
1)the immediate arrest of the factory owner,
2)immediate payment of 500.000 Taka for the families of the dead workers;
3)provision of medical treatment and necessary compensation for the injured workers;
4)effective and immediate measures for compensation of the victims on the longer term, and
a credible investigation into the circumstances under which this tragedy could have happened.
The Bangladesh garment industry has a horrendous safety history. Since the start of this millennium, the Clean Clothes Campaign has highlighted 9 other similar cases with a total of 273 deaths (see for more info: http://www.cleanclothes.org/news/international-action-day-bangladesh).
We are angry and saddened that once again workers have paid the price for the failure of international brands, the Bangladesh government and the Bangladesh industry to take adequate steps to prevent such incidents from happening. A culture of impunity still exists that allows such incidents to be written of as simply tragic accidents, allowing everyone involved to deny responsibility for the consequences. A recent inquiry into one of these cases, KTS Sweater, found that the owners were cleared of criminal convictions, despite admitting to locking workers into the factory, after the police involved changed the charge sheet. (see http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=128183)
The Garib & Garib Sweater Factory case once again proves that company audits are failing to pick up serious violations of international labour rights and corporate codes of conduct, and that the labour inspectorate and government monitoring of labour laws is woefully inadequate. At the same time the constant repression of trade union organisation within workplaces and the failure of brands to work with trade union representatives means that workers themselves are unable to report and challenge health and safety violations. If the industry is really serious about preventing future deaths they must start involving workers directly in monitoring health and safety standards. This can only be done through supporting the right to organise and working directly with trade unions.
Labels: Bangladesh, Clean Clothes Campaign, Corporate criminals, Garib And garib, international labour, International Women's day, labour
Saturday, January 30, 2010
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR:
THE OLYMPICS AND SWEATSHOPS:
A broad coalition of labour and human rights groups, including Play Fair, the Maquila Solidarity Network and the Clean Clothes Campaign have been organizing around each Olympics in past years to try and raise public awareness about the atrocious conditions for many workers involved in producing Olympic clothing and other items. The upcoming Vancouver/Whistler Winter Olympics are no exception. Here's an item from the Maquila Solidarity Network about a series of videos detailing the issue, and a campaign to pressure manufacturers to "play fair".
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
New Play Fair at the Olympics video launched:
Here's how you can help push sportswear brands to clear the hurdles on worker rights: watch our new video and take action at http://secure.civicrm.ca/maquilasolidarity.org/sites/maquilasolidarity.civicrm.ca/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=359&qid=25805
New Play Fair at the Olympics video launched:
Here's how you can help push sportswear brands to clear the hurdles on worker rights: watch our new video and take action at http://secure.civicrm.ca/maquilasolidarity.org/sites/maquilasolidarity.civicrm.ca/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=359&qid=25805
As the February Vancouver Winter Olympic Games draw nearer, we've just released a second short video highlighting the failure of major sportswear brands -- including Olympic sponsors -- to eliminate sweatshop abuses in their global supply chains.
The campaign's second video links to a new website rating commitments by Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance and others on clearing the main hurdles that obstruct progress on worker rights in their supply factories: an anti-union environment, poverty wages, precarious work, and factory closures.
» See http://secure.civicrm.ca/maquilasolidarity.org/sites/maquilasolidarity.civicrm.ca/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=359&qid=25805.
» en español: http://secure.civicrm.ca/maquilasolidarity.org/sites/maquilasolidarity.civicrm.ca/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=360&qid=25805
» en Français: http://secure.civicrm.ca/maquilasolidarity.org/sites/maquilasolidarity.civicrm.ca/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=361&qid=25805
You can help the campaign by:
» sending an email to the brands
» hosting the video ads on your own website or facebook page.
» sending a short message about the campaign to your friends and networks
»Take Action Now
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Here's what the Clean Clothes Campaign has to say about this campaign.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Unfortunately, Olympic skiers aren’t the only ones in a race to the bottom…:
Dear all,
Dear all,
In the run-up to the February Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, several groups involved in the Play Fair Alliance last week released its rating of commitments made by major sportswear brands to eliminate sweatshop abuses in their global supply chains. The ratings are based on the responses of the sportswear companies, including Nike, Adidas, Puma and others, to a series of demands put forward by the coalition on the eve of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Please take a moment now and join us in sending a message to key sportswear brands telling them “It’s time to up your game and start clearing the hurdles for workers’ rights”.Go to: http://www.clearingthehurdles.org/content/take-action
The demands were conceived to overcome four major hurdles to ending labour rights violations in sportswear supply chains: anti-union environment, poverty wages, precarious work, and factory closures.The ratings are being released on the newly launched Clearing the Hurdles website. The new website will allow users to see how each brand has responded to 12 key demands that brands should commit to in order to overcome the four hurdles. Users will also be able to compare the various brands at a glance based on their commitments to overcome these hurdles: http://www.clearingthehurdles.org/response-chart
The coalition, which includes Canada’s Maquila Solidarity Network, the International Trade Union Confederation, the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation and the Clean Clothes Campaign is also posting a series of web ads accusing the brands that profit off the Olympics of engaging in a “race to the bottom” on wages and working conditions.
The ad campaign is running on dozens of websites in British Columbia, Canada and globally. The first ad, which features a montage of skiers and sweatshop workers, says: “Unfortunately, the Winter Olympics aren’t the only place we’re seeing a race to the bottom. Sportswear companies are also in a race to the bottom … on wages and working conditions.” New ads with a variety of similar messages will be launched every ten days in the run-up to the Olympics.
You can also help the campaign by distributing this appeal and by hosting the video ads on your own website or facebook page! Go to:http://www.clearingthehurdles.org/content/upload-or-embed-our-race-to-the-bottom-video
As a result of Play Fair 2008 Indonesian unions recently had a direct dialogue with sportswear brands and suppliers, we will send you an update on the outcomes shortly.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
THE LETTER
Please go to one of the links above or to this link to send the following message to Asica, Lotto, Mizuna, New balance, Nike, Adidas, Pentland and Puma.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Hello;
I’ve reviewed the way your company responded to Play Fair 2008’s proposals on ways to clear the four major hurdles impeding progress on worker rights in your factories.
I’ve reviewed the way your company responded to Play Fair 2008’s proposals on ways to clear the four major hurdles impeding progress on worker rights in your factories.
From what I’ve read at www.clearingthehurdles.org, very few of the targets set by Play Fair will be met unless you take action now to:
• develop a positive climate for freedom of association and collective bargaining;
• Eliminate the use of precarious employment in sportswear supply chains;
• Lessen both the frequency and negative impacts of factory closures; and
• Take steps to improve worker incomes, with the goal of reaching a living wage for all workers.
I believe the proposals and targets put forward by Play Fair are reasonable and necessary. Despite more than 15 years of codes of conduct adopted by major sportswear brands like your own, workers making sportswear products still face extreme pressure to meet production quotas, excessive, undocumented and unpaid overtime, verbal abuse, threats to health and safety related to the high quotas and exposure to toxic chemicals, and a failure to provide legally required health and other insurance programs. Many are facing precarious working arrangements, overwhelming obstacles to their right to unionize, and poverty wages.
It’s about time we set some deadlines for progress to be made on these critical issues. It’s time to undertake a set of actions with specific targets to ensure that when the next Olympic Games come around in 2012, workers can expect tangible improvements in their wages and working conditions rather than two more years of talk about vague commitments. It’s time to up your game and start clearing the hurdles for workers’ rights.
Labels: 2010 Winter Olympics, Clean Clothes Campaign, international labour, labour, Maquila solidarity Network, olympics, petitions, solidarity., sport, sweatshops.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-THAILAND:
THREATS AGAINST THAI WORKERS:
The following story and appeal comes from the Clean Clothes Campaign. Have a look at the device circled in the photograph. It's described more below. Don't be surprised to see more and more of these deployed by the police at various demonstration across the world. Molly wonders who manufactuers these things. An interesting question.
ILILILILILILILIL
Leaders of Peaceful Protest Against Triumph Threatened with Arrest in Thailand:
Workers were confronted with police using a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD)
On August 28, the Dusit Police Bureau in Bangkok issued arrest warrants against three union activists for their role in a peaceful demonstration against the dismissal of nearly 2000 workers at Body Fashion Thailand, a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph International.
Take action now to prevent their arrest!
The day before, hundreds of Triumph workers assembled in front of the parliament to hand a petition to the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. However, Vejjajiva refused to meet with the union representatives, and instead the workers were confronted with police using a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD). This controversial military weapon consists of a high concentration of sound waves that can cause temporarily deafness and blurred vision, as well as permanent hearing loss. According to human rights organisations, this non-lethal weapon can be classified as a technique of political control that poses a threat to civil liberties.
Bunrawd Saiwong (33), secretary of the Triumph International Thailand Labour Union, Jitra Kotchadej (34), independent consultant of TITLU, and Sunthorn Boonyod (50), manager at Labour Congress Centre for Labour Unions of Thailand, are accused of breaching the recently invoked Internal Security Act forbidding demonstrations of more than 10 people in Dusit district in Bangkok. The ISA gives a wide range of power to the authorities to arrest and detain, not unlike a State of Emergency decree. In this case, the law is being used to suppress peaceful assembly and freedom of speech in a case of labour rights violations committed by a European multinational corporation.
The demonstration at the Thai parliament is one of the many protest actions organised by the Triumph union against the dismissal of half of the workforce of the Triumph International subsidiary Body Fashion Thailand. The union has been confronted with anti-union behaviour by the management since summer 2008. They fear that the announced retrenchment is yet another attempt to get rid of unionised workplaces. This is supported by the fact that other factories in Thailand, owned by the same company but without a democratically elected union in place, are expanding. Furthermore, Triumph failed to abide by ILO convention 158 and the OECD guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, which call for companies to develop and negotiate a retrenchment plan with the union, and to provide detailed information supporting the business decision behind the plan. Throughout August, the management repeatedly cancelled meetings with the union.
See also http://www.cleanclothes.org/triumph-dismissals-in-asia-attempt-to-get-rid-of-unions to find out more about the mass layoffs at Triumph factories in Thailand and the Philippines.
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THE LETTER:
Please go to THIS LINK to send the following protest letter to Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
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CONCERNING ARREST THREATS MADE AGAINST THAI WORKERS:
Please write to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva today to prevent the arrests of these three union activists.
Also contact Triumph International here to demand proper negotiations with the unions in Thailand and the Philippines in case of mass-dismissals.
Send the following letter directly to:
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, The Secretariat Of the Prime Minister Office Thai Government House Phitsanulok Road, Dusit Bangkok, Thailand Fax: +662 282 8558 Email: IcAd@thaigov.go.th
Dear Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva,
I write to you today to express my serious concerns about the arrest warrants against Jitra Kotchadej, Sunthorn Boonyod, and Bunrawd Saiwong, issued by the Dusit Police Bureau on August 28, 2009. I have been informed by the Clean Clothes Campaign that these three labour rights activists are accused of inciting unrest for participating in a peaceful protest against the dismissal of nearly 2000 workers at Body Fashion Thailand, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Triumph International. Bunrawd Saiwong is the secretary of the Triumph International Thailand Labour Union (TITLU), Jitra Kotchadej works as an independent consultant for TITLU, and Sunthorn Boonyod is a manager at Labour Congress Centre for Labour Unions of Thailand (LCCLUT).
I am very concerned that the arrest warrants are being used to suppress peaceful assembly and freedom of speech in a case of labour rights violations committed by a European multinational corporation. In addition to the arrest warrants, I am alarmed by reports of excessive police brutality as evidenced by use of a military weapon, the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), against the peaceful protesters.
As you may know, on June 29 Body Fashion Thailand announced that nearly half of the factory’s workforce would be dismissed by the end of August. Triumph failed to abide by ILO convention 158 and the OECD guidelines for Multinational Enterprises which call for companies to develop and negotiate a retrenchment plan with the union, and to provide detailed information supporting the business decision behind the plan.
Naturally, the Triumph International Thailand Labour Union has rejected Triumph’s unilateral decision and called on the company to halt the retrenchment and engage in transparent negotiation with the union. This was the focus of the peaceful protest that took place on August 27 in front of the Thai Parliament.
I send this email to urge your government to:
**withdraw the arrest warrants against Jitra Kotchadej, Sunthorn Boonyod, and Bunrawd Saiwong with immediate effect;
**investigate the use of LRAD by the police on August 27, 2009 against the laid-off workers of Triumph International subsidiary Body Fashion Thailand Co., Ltd, Anyon Electronics (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and subcontractor Worldwell Garment Co., Ltd, who joined the peaceful protest in front of the parliament building;
**ensure that Body Fashion Thailand, Co., Ltd, Anyon Electronics (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and subcontractor Worldwell Garment Co., Ltd, abide by ILO convention 158 and the OECD guidelines for Multinational Enterprises;
**ensure the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of speech to union leaders, union members and workers in general.
Sincerely,
ILILILILILILIL
Also at the same link you can send a letter to Mr. M. Spiesshofer, the CEO of Triumph International , the corporate entity behind the recent suffering of workers in Thailand and the Philippines.
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BACKGROUND
Triumph workers in Bangkok demonstrated earlier this month against the planned close down of their factory by throwing bras in the air in front of the District labour office.Lingerie producer blames global recession for factory closures.
The German/Swiss lingerie multinational Triumph seems to use the pretext of the global economic recession to close down factories in the Philippines and Thailand. A number of these closures are irregular.On June 29, Triumph's producer in Thailand, Body Fashion Thailand, announced that around half of its 4200 workers would be out of their jobs by the end of August. Earlier this year, another Thai Triumph producer, Worldwell Garment Company, was closed down on Labour Day (May 1), and the entire work force sent home without their last salaries or the legally-required severance compensations.In the Philippines, 1660 garment workers will loose their jobs by the end of August when Triumph International (Philippines) Ltd. and Star Performance Inc. will close down. Neither in Thailand nor in the Philippines did the Triumph management conduct timely and transparent negotiations with the factory workers' unions as required by international labour standards.Support these Thai and Filipino workers in their struggle. Send letters to Triumph's headquarters in Switzerland today and forward this message to your friends. Your actions will make a difference!
Take action now!
MORE BACKGROUND
Triumph cites the global recession as a major reason for downscaling their production. It is clear, however, that Triumph's actions are aimed at hampering the unions in their factories. They are closing those departments and those factories where the unions are strongest. At the same time, they are expanding a new factory in northern Thailand.Workers unions in Thailand and the Philippines have been organizing picket lines and other forms of peaceful protest agains these dishonest practises. We demand from Triumph International that they persue any major restructuring of their factory operations in cooperation with the established factory unions, rescind the dismissals, disclose the full information that led to the planned retrenchments and closures, generally operate in line with ILO core conventions as well as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.Triumph has a history of ignoring labour-rights violations in the Asian factories where they outsource the production of their luxury lifestyle products. Last year, the Swiss multinational was accused of harassing union leaders in the same factories: see www.cleanclothes.org/triumph-union-continues-fight-for-fairnessIn 2002, Triumph was also one of the last international firms to withdraw production from Burma (Myanmar). The Burmese military government has been accused of gross political repression and massive human rights violations.
Support these Thai and Filipino workers in their struggle. Send letters to Triumph today and forward this message to your friends. Your actions will make a difference!
Use this form to send the following two letters directly to:
Mr. M. Spiesshofer, Chief Executive Officer,
Triumph International AG,Bad Zurzag, Switzerland.
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THE LETTER:
This is tghe proposed letter that workers at Triumph International would like you to send to the company.
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Dear Mr. Spiesshofer,
Re. Triumph's reduction plans in the The Philippines and Thailand.
Through the Clean Clothes Campaign I learned about Triumph International's intention to considerably reduce the workforce at its subsidiary Body Fashion Thailand (BFT) as well as in the Triumph International (Philippines) Ltd. and Star Performance Inc. factories in the Philippines.
I also read that these retrenchments and other major restructurings were done without proper consultation with the workers' unions. The fact that the management did not engage in open and timely negotiations with the union prior to the planned dismissals is a breach of the international standards such as the ILO convention 158 and the OECD guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
I am also concerned about signs of union-busting in Triumph International's reduction plans since Triumph International seems to primarily reduce the workforce in unionised factories. In my opinion these moves could be interpreted as anti-union acts and as such could be considered as breaches of Triumph International's Code of Conduct, ILO core conventions and the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises.
I was further informed that another Thai factory that produced for Triumph International, Worldwell Garment Company Ltd., was closed down in May this year and the workers have not yet received their last salaries and their full severance compensation fees that they are legally entitled to.
I am writing to you to express my serious concern about these practises. I urge you as the responsible CEO on behalf of Triumph International to intervene at your subsidiaries and to use your influence at the factories where Triumph International has been outsourcing the production in order to guarantee that the unions and workers are treated fairly.
I request you to:
**present full documentation to TITLU and the Triumph workers union in the Philippines, BPMTI, on why Triumph International has opted for the current plan to reduce the workforce in the said factories.
**restart the process of reduction of the workforce in close co-operation with TITLU and BPMTI and in accordance with current CBA, the ILO-conventions, as well as the OECD guidelines.
Keenly awaiting your response and action on these matters,
Yours sincerely,
Labels: Body Fashion Thailand, Clean Clothes Campaign, international human rights, international labour, labour, police brutality., solidarity., Thailand, Triumph
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-THAILAND/THE PHILIPPINES:
SUPPORT TRIUMPH WORKERS IN EAST ASIA:
The following appeal to support workers faced by layoffs by the Triumph multinational comes from the Clean Clothes Campaign.
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'Triumph' dismissals in Asia attempt to get rid of unions.:
Triumph workers in Bangkok demonstrated earlier this month against the planned close down of their factory by throwing bras in the air in front of the District labour office.Lingerie producer blames global recession for factory closures.
'Triumph' dismissals in Asia attempt to get rid of unions.:
Triumph workers in Bangkok demonstrated earlier this month against the planned close down of their factory by throwing bras in the air in front of the District labour office.Lingerie producer blames global recession for factory closures.
The German/Swiss lingerie multinational Triumph seems to use the pretext of the global economic recession to close down factories in the Philippines and Thailand. A number of these closures are irregular.
On June 29, Triumph's producer in Thailand, Body Fashion Thailand, announced that around half of its 4200 workers would be out of their jobs by the end of August. Earlier this year, another Thai Triumph producer, Worldwell Garment Company, was closed down on Labour Day (May 1), and the entire work force sent home without their last salaries or the legally-required severance compensations.
In the Philippines, 1660 garment workers will loose their jobs by the end of August when Triumph International (Philippines) Ltd. and Star Performance Inc. will close down. Neither in Thailand nor in the Philippines did the Triumph management conduct timely and transparent negotiations with the factory workers' unions as required by international labour standards.
Support these Thai and Filipino workers in their struggle. Send letters to Triumph's headquarters in Switzerland today and forward this message to your friends. Your actions will make a difference!
Take action now!
BACKGROUND
Triumph cites the global recession as a major reason for downscaling their production. It is clear, however, that Triumph's actions are aimed at hampering the unions in their factories. They are closing those departments and those factories where the unions are strongest. At the same time, they are expanding a new factory in northern Thailand.
Take action now!
BACKGROUND
Triumph cites the global recession as a major reason for downscaling their production. It is clear, however, that Triumph's actions are aimed at hampering the unions in their factories. They are closing those departments and those factories where the unions are strongest. At the same time, they are expanding a new factory in northern Thailand.
Workers unions in Thailand and the Philippines have been organizing picket lines and other forms of peaceful protest against these dishonest practises. We demand from Triumph International that they pursue any major restructuring of their factory operations in cooperation with the established factory unions, rescind the dismissals, disclose the full information that led to the planned retrenchments and closures, generally operate in line with ILO core conventions as well as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
Triumph has a history of ignoring labour-rights violations in the Asian factories where they outsource the production of their luxury lifestyle products. Last year, the Swiss multinational was accused of harassing union leaders in the same factories: see www.cleanclothes.org/triumph-union-continues-fight-for-fairness
In 2002, Triumph was also one of the last international firms to withdraw production from Burma (Myanmar). The Burmese military government has been accused of gross political repression and massive human rights violations.
ILILILILILILIL
THE LETTER:
Please go to the link cited above to send the following letter to Triumph management.
ILILILILILILIL
Dear Mr. Spiesshofer,
Dear Mr. Spiesshofer,
Re. Triumph's reduction plans in the The Philippines and Thailand.
Through the Clean Clothes Campaign I learned about Triumph International's intention to considerably reduce the workforce at its subsidiary Body Fashion Thailand (BFT) as well as in the Triumph International (Philippines) Ltd. and Star Performance Inc. factories in the Philippines.
I also read that these retrenchments and other major restructurings were done without proper consultation with the workers' unions. The fact that the management did not engage in open and timely negotiations with the union prior to the planned dismissals is a breach of the international standards such as the ILO convention 158 and the OECD guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
I am also concerned about signs of union-busting in Triumph International's reduction plans since Triumph International seems to primarily reduce the workforce in unionised factories. In my opinion these moves could be interpreted as anti-union acts and as such could be considered as breaches of Triumph International's Code of Conduct, ILO core conventions and the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises.
I was further informed that another Thai factory that produced for Triumph International, Worldwell Garment Company Ltd., was closed down in May this year and the workers have not yet received their last salaries and their full severance compensation fees that they are legally entitled to.
I am writing to you to express my serious concern about these practises. I urge you as the responsible CEO on behalf of Triumph International to intervene at your subsidiaries and to use your influence at the factories where Triumph International has been outsourcing the production in order to guarantee that the unions and workers are treated fairly.
I request you to:
***present full documentation to TITLU and the Triumph workers union in the Philippines, BPMTI, on why Triumph International has opted for the current plan to reduce the workforce in the said factories.
***restart the process of reduction of the workforce in close co-operation with TITLU and BPMTI and in accordance with current CBA, the ILO-conventions, as well as the OECD guidelines.
***present full documentation to TITLU and the Triumph workers union in the Philippines, BPMTI, on why Triumph International has opted for the current plan to reduce the workforce in the said factories.
***restart the process of reduction of the workforce in close co-operation with TITLU and BPMTI and in accordance with current CBA, the ILO-conventions, as well as the OECD guidelines.
Keenly awaiting your response and action on these matters,
Yours sincerely,
Labels: Body Fashion Thailand, Clean Clothes Campaign, international labour, labour, Philippines, solidarity., Star performance Inc., Thailand, Triumph, Worldwell garment Company
Friday, July 03, 2009
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-INDONESIA:
LUXURY BRANDS AND HORRIBLE CONDITIONS:
The following call for solidarity is from the international Clean Clothes Campaign. It's about conditions in an Indonesian factory where luxury clothes are made for fashion giants Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.
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Luxury fashion brands leave Indonesian workers in the cold:
Polo Ralph Lauren, the upmarket US-based fashion giant, continues to ignore union repression and bad working conditions at one of its suppliers in Indonesia, the Mulia Knitting Factory near to Jakarta. The fashion house simply refuses to respond to the plight of workers who produce its garments.
Tommy Hilfiger, another buyer at the same clothing factory, has claimed that they have discussed the problems with the supplier, but the company has yet to take decisive action.
Following the establishment of the factory union SBGTS-GSBI in May 2007, the management of the Mulia Knitting Factory (MKF) organised a campaign to destroy the union by forcing all of its founding members to resign from the union or be removed from the factory. Unsafe and bad working conditions in the factory make the issue of workers' representation all the more urgent.
Although the national umbrella organisation GSBI has now managed to open up a direct dialogue with the MKF management, the latter remains unwilling to discuss matters related to freedom of association.
Support these Indonesian workers in their struggle. Send letters to Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger today and forward this message to your friends. Your actions will make a difference! Take action now!
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BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The CCC and its allies in Indonesia and in the US have undertaken intensive efforts to set up constructive dialogues with MKF's foreign buyers to support a solution to the problems at the clothing factory. Indonesian law, international labour standards and the fashion brands’ own codes of conduct protect the workers’ rights to form and join a union. But Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger have done nothing to demonstrate that there is substance behind the claims in their codes.
Despite seven letters from the CCC and our allies and repeated phone calls, Polo Ralph Lauren's corporate social responsibility manager has refused to discuss the problems at MKF. Unfortunately, this is common practise for the designer of lavish lifestyle(this is a total aside- but I've always hated this word from the first time I heard it-Molly) products.
Although Polo Ralph Lauren actively promotes charities and philanthropic programmes, it refuses to mainstream ethical trade principles in its day-to-day operations. The company has been the defendant in a number of court cases involving discrimination and violations of labour rights.
After dragging its feet, Tommy Hilfiger now says it is committed to solving the problems in its supply chain. However, after more then six months, its efforts have not yielded any concrete results. This raises serious questions about Tommy Hilfiger's commitment to uphold the values laid down in their corporate Code of Conduct.
Support these Indonesian workers in their struggle. Send letters to Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger today and forward this message to your friends. Your actions will make a difference!
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THE LETTERS:
Support these Indonesian workers in their struggle. Send letters to Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger today and forward this message to your friends. Your actions will make a difference!
LLLLLLLLLLLLLL
THE LETTERS:
Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letters to Polo Ralph lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.
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To Polo Ralph Lauren's CEO and its Senior Director of Global Compliance.
To Polo Ralph Lauren's CEO and its Senior Director of Global Compliance.
Dear Sir,
I have learned that workers at one of your suppliers, PT Mulia Knitting Factory (MKF) in Indonesia, have been denied their right to freedom of association. Founders and members of the SBGTS-GSBI workers' union, established at the factory in May 2007, have been forced to resign from the union or be removed from the factory.
Unsafe and bad working conditions in the factory make the issue of workers' representation all the more urgent.
As you know, with today's globalised production patterns, manufacturers and retailers who order their goods from suppliers worldwide are increasingly aware of their overall supply-chain responsibilities.
In this framework, I urge you to make sure that Polo Ralph Lauren does everything in its power to address the problems at your Indonesian supplier.
Specifically I urge you to use your influence and assure that MKF:
1 - offers immediate reinstatement to all workers who were wrongfully dismissed or transferred because of their refusal to disassociate themselves from SBGTS-GSBI. The reinstatement should include compensation for salary arrears since the date of their dismissal or transfer. The workers should be reemployed at their previous positions in the factory with no loss of seniority and no reduction in salary;
2 - respects the right of their workers to Freedom of Association, and issues a statement to the work force, verbally and in writing,stating that the factory will respect the rights of workers join any organisation of their choosing, be it an NGO or a labour union, and that no worker will be fired, demoted, transferred or the subject of retaliation of any other kind for the decision that he or she makes. In that statement, the MKF management must clarify that the legally registered SBGTS-GSBI union is considered a legitimate entity.
Rather than denying the CCC any chance at communication, I further urge you to see the Campaign as a possible partner, that has specific expertise in matters relating to worker rights and working conditions in the global textiles supply chains. Fashion companies that show a real willingness to respect the rights of the individuals who produce their clothes can count on the support and collaboration of the CCC in designing and implementing pragmatic solutions.
Hoping for your cooperation in bringing these matters to a swift resolution,
Yours sincerely,
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To Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Social responsibility managers in Europe and the US
To Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Social responsibility managers in Europe and the US
Dear Madam, Sir,
I understand from information provided by the Clean Clothes Campaign that Tommy Hilfiger has dragged its feet rather than decisively acting on reports of serious labour-rights violations at one of your suppliers, PT Mulia Knitting Factory (MKF) in Indonesia.
Despite months of communications with the CCC, and despite Tommy Hilfiger's stated commitment to solving the problems at their supplier, your apparent efforts has not lead to any concrete results in the factory.
I have learned that workers at the factory have been denied their right to Freedom of Association. Founders and members of the SBGTS-GSBI workers' union, established at the factory in May 2007, have been forced to resign from the union or be removed from the factory.
Unsafe and bad working conditions in the factory make the issue of workers' representation all the more urgent.
As you know, with today's globalised production patterns, manufacturers and retailers who order their goods from suppliers worldwide are increasingly aware of their overall supply-chain responsibilities.
In this framework, I urge you to make sure that Tommy Hilfiger does everything in its power to address the problems at your Indonesian supplier.
Specifically I urge you to use your influence and assure that MKF:
1 - offers immediate reinstatement to all workers who were wrongfully dismissed or transferred because of their refusal to disassociate themselves from SBGTS-GSBI. The reinstatement should include compensation for salary arrears since the date of their dismissal or transfer. The workers should be reemployed at their previous positions in the factory with no loss of seniority and no reduction in salary;
2 - respects the right of their workers to Freedom of Association, and issues a statement to the work force, verbally and in writing,stating that the factory will respect the rights of workers join any organisation of their choosing, be it an NGO or a labour union, and that no worker will be fired, demoted, transferred or the subject of retaliation of any other kind for the decision that he or she makes. In that statement, the MKF management must clarify that the legally registered SBGTS-GSBI union is considered a legitimate entity.
Hoping for your cooperation in bringing these matters to a swift resolution,
Yours sincerely,
ILILILILILILIL
A LITTLE MOLLY ADDENDUM:
I doubt that I have ever entered any of the stores mentioned above. If I have seen them it is probable that I walked or drove faster to get past them. This, however, brings up the question of what happens to the "remainders" from the manufacturers who via slave labour supply these so-called quality luxury clothes. Quite frankly I wouldn't be surprised if the left-overs ended up at dollar stores throughout the world (Winnipeg is the world's capital of such outlets). The same stuff at 1/50th the price. It would be amusing to find out if this was true. For all I know I'm walking around with a "Tommy Lauren" set of undergitch as we speak. Bow down before my fashion sense.
Labels: Clean Clothes Campaign, Indonesia, international labour, labour, Polo Ralph Lauren, solidarity., Tommy Hilfiger
Monday, May 18, 2009
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-TURKEY:
SUPPORT WORKERS AT THE MENDERES FACTORY:
The following appeal is from the Clean Clothes Campaign, a coalition that supports workers in the garment and cloth trades worldwide.
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IKEA and Household Retailers Abet Union Busting at Turkish Supplier:
IKEA and Household Retailers Abet Union Busting at Turkish Supplier:
While a serious case of union-busting at a Turkish supplier factory is happening right under their noses, retail giants IKEA, Wal-Mart and Carrefour choose to stand by idly. Other household retail chains such as Otto, Ibena, Target and Kohl's as well as the German textile traders Horizonte have been equally silent about the basic labour right violation against hundreds of workers at their supplier. In addition, working conditions in the factory are unacceptably dangerous.
Support the Turkish union in their struggle to improve labour conditions and safety at this factory. Write letters to IKEA, Wal-Mart Carrefour, Otto, Ibena, and Kohl’s and demand fair working conditions in their supply chain.
Take action now! >>
Background
Menderes Tekstil in South-Western Turkey produces bed linen for the home market and for export. Over the last years, four Menderes workers died due to work-related injuries. In the most recent accident, on November 20, 2008, one employee died when he fell into the funnel of a coal boiler. Workers reported that the boiler had no safety measures to prevent such an accident. After the tragic accident, the factory management reportedly ordered three colleagues of the victim to climb into the funnel to retrieve the body. Again, no safety measures were taken, and the three had no protection against toxic gases inside the boiler. They suffered respiratory poisoning and had to seek treatment in a nearby hospital.
Background
Menderes Tekstil in South-Western Turkey produces bed linen for the home market and for export. Over the last years, four Menderes workers died due to work-related injuries. In the most recent accident, on November 20, 2008, one employee died when he fell into the funnel of a coal boiler. Workers reported that the boiler had no safety measures to prevent such an accident. After the tragic accident, the factory management reportedly ordered three colleagues of the victim to climb into the funnel to retrieve the body. Again, no safety measures were taken, and the three had no protection against toxic gases inside the boiler. They suffered respiratory poisoning and had to seek treatment in a nearby hospital.
In March 2008, the national textile workers union TEKSIF started organising workers at the factory. Since then, the Menderes management called the union leaders into their offices one by one, and gave them the choice between renouncing the union or being sacked. Turkish law prohibits dismissals or transfers as retribution for union organising.
Still, Menderes Tekstil continues their anti-union campaign. The management has repeatedly threatened workers whom they suspect of being union members, forcing them to leave of the union or to sign documents indicating voluntary resignation. In some cases, workers were assigned to new jobs for which they were not trained or qualified. If these workers refused to renounce their union membership or refused to accept the transfer or dismissal, the management on occasions has gone as far as to harass the affected workers' relatives if they also work at the factory.
In August 2008 workers and union representatives started protests outside the Menderes factory. The protests lasted for 190 days and were aimed at gaining acceptance of their union. Despite these actions, the company has continued to harass the unionists and has refused any dialogue with the union.
Meanwhile, eight court cases of wrongfully dismissed employees are currently before the magistrate. However, the judicial process could take years before producing any verdict.
Over the last years, four Menderes workers died due to work-related injuries.Brand responses
Menderes' main international clients have known about the problems at the factory for months but the only actions they have taken is to deny the problems, conduct investigations while refusing to release the results, or promise to take action on the matter, only to drag their feet. In doing so, they are also not living up to their own ethical codes of conduct.
The CCC and its trade union partners approached Menderes' primary buyer IKEA multiple times over the last months, but the furniture giant has not taken sufficient measures to solve the problems. IKEA commissioned an audit into the labour conditions at Menderes Tekstil, and concluded that there are no major labour problems at the factory. Although the CCC was never given a chance to view the audit report, the campaign has in the past raised serious concerns about the use of industry-commissioned audit reports that often lead to biased conclusions. The situation at Menderes Tekstil is in total contravention to IKEA's own code of conduct.
Carrefour in France and Belgium and Otto, Ibena and Horizonte from Germany initially responded to appeals by the CCC and its union partners to take action on the case. The US-based companies Wal-Mart, Target and Kohl's were similarly approached by our allies of the International Labor Rights Forum ). All have dithered on their course of action for months now, promising measures that seem more aimed at buying time than at effectively dealing with the problems at their Turkish supplier.
The UK-based Mothercare household retailers have taken constructive steps in addressing the problems, but they are not acting with the level of urgency required.
The CCC urges these companies to use their influence and insist that their Turkish supplier enters into a direct dialogue with trade union TEKSIF.
Urgent Action needed
The CCC and TEKSIF demand that Menderes and its buyers ensure:
**reinstatement with compensation and pay-back of salary arrears where appropriate for those workers who are currently engaged in court proceedings against Menderes Tekstil following their dismissal due to union activity;
**acknowledgement of TEKSIF as a legitimate union at your factory and to recognise their right to represent their members in factory matters, and to provide all workers with a guarantee that the company will respect their rights to organise and to bargain collectively.
**involvement of TEKSIF in the discussions around the company’s restructuring plans and the criteria for necessary dismissals.
**review of occupational health and safety measures at both factory plants, as well as a review of certain disciplinary and grievance handling mechanisms;
Urgent Action needed
The CCC and TEKSIF demand that Menderes and its buyers ensure:
**reinstatement with compensation and pay-back of salary arrears where appropriate for those workers who are currently engaged in court proceedings against Menderes Tekstil following their dismissal due to union activity;
**acknowledgement of TEKSIF as a legitimate union at your factory and to recognise their right to represent their members in factory matters, and to provide all workers with a guarantee that the company will respect their rights to organise and to bargain collectively.
**involvement of TEKSIF in the discussions around the company’s restructuring plans and the criteria for necessary dismissals.
**review of occupational health and safety measures at both factory plants, as well as a review of certain disciplinary and grievance handling mechanisms;
WWWWWWWWWW
THE LETTERS:
Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letters to various retailers about this Turkish factory's practices.
WWWWWWWWWW
Please take action now! Support our action and send letters to IKA, Wal-Mart, Carrefour, Kohl's, Ibena and Otto. See sample letters below....
Dear Madam, Sir,
re.: Menderes Tekstil, Turkey; supply chain; ethical code of conduct.
I am writing to you to express my deep concerns about the working conditions labour-rights situation at one of your suppliers in Turkey, Menderes Tekstil. I understand from the Clean Clothes Campaign that the factory’s workers are being denied the right to associate themselves into a workers’ union, and that the factory management dismisses, transfers and harasses employees who support the workers’ union.
I also read reports that the working conditions at the factory are unacceptably dangerous and harmful, leading to the death of four of Menderes' workers. All this in violation of Turkish law, international labour standards as per the ILO, and your own suppliers code of conduct.
I have been informed by the CCC that their efforts to address these urgent matters with you met with a refusal from your side to take swift and effective action to remedy the situation.
As a consumer and one of your potential clients, I am concerned about the working conditions surrounding the production of the goods you sell. I urge you to take up your supply-chain responsibilities seriously, and to demand from Menderes Tekstil:
**reinstatement with compensation and pay-back of salary arrears where appropriate for those workers who are currently engaged in court proceedings against Menderes Tekstil following their dismissal due to unionisation;
**acknowledgement of TEKSIF as a legitimate union at your factory and to recognize their right to represent their members in factory matters, and to provide all workers with a guarantee that the company will respect their rights to organise and to bargain collectively.
**involvement of TEKSIF in the discussions around the company’s restructuring plans and the criteria for necessary dismissals.
**review of occupational health and safety measures at both factory plants, as well as a review of certain disciplinary and grievance handling mechanisms;
Yours sincerely,
SAMPLE LETTER FOR IKEA
**reinstatement with compensation and pay-back of salary arrears where appropriate for those workers who are currently engaged in court proceedings against Menderes Tekstil following their dismissal due to unionisation;
**acknowledgement of TEKSIF as a legitimate union at your factory and to recognize their right to represent their members in factory matters, and to provide all workers with a guarantee that the company will respect their rights to organise and to bargain collectively.
**involvement of TEKSIF in the discussions around the company’s restructuring plans and the criteria for necessary dismissals.
**review of occupational health and safety measures at both factory plants, as well as a review of certain disciplinary and grievance handling mechanisms;
Yours sincerely,
SAMPLE LETTER FOR IKEA
Dear Sir,
re.: Menderes Tekstil, Turkey; supply chain; ethical code of conduct.
I am writing to you to express my deep concerns about the working conditions labour-rights situation at one of your suppliers in Turkey, Menderes Tekstil.
I understand from the Clean Clothes Campaign that the factory’s workers are being denied the right to associate themselves into a workers’ union, and that the factory management dismisses, transfers and harasses employees who support the workers’ union.I also read reports that the working conditions at the factory are unacceptably dangerous and harmful, leading to the death of four of Menderes' workers.
All this in violation of Turkish law, international labour standards as per the ILO, and your own suppliers code of conduct.
I have been informed by the CCC that their efforts to address these urgent matters with you met with a refusal from your side to take swift and effective action to remedy the situation.
I also learned that IKEA commissioned an audit into the labour conditions at Menderes Tekstil, and concluded that there are no major labour problems at the factory. Although the CCC was never given a chance to view the audit report, the campaign has in the past raised serious concerns about the use of industry-commissioned audit reports that often lead to biased conclusions.
As a consumer and one of your potential clients, I am concerned about the working conditions surrounding the production of the goods you sell. I urge you to take up your supply-chain responsibilities seriously, and to demand from Menderes Tekstil:
**reinstatement with compensations and pay-back of salary arrears where appropriate for those workers who are currently engaged in court proceedings against Menderes Tekstil following their dismissal due to unionisation;
**acknowledgement of TEKSIF as a legitimate union at your factory and to recognize their right to represent their members in factory matters, and to provide all workers with a guarantee that the company will respect their rights to organise and to bargain collectively.
**involvement of TEKSIF in the discussions around the company’s restructuring plans and the criteria for necessary dismissals.
**review of occupational health and safety measures at both factory plants, as well as a review of certain disciplinary and grievance handling mechanisms;
**reinstatement with compensations and pay-back of salary arrears where appropriate for those workers who are currently engaged in court proceedings against Menderes Tekstil following their dismissal due to unionisation;
**acknowledgement of TEKSIF as a legitimate union at your factory and to recognize their right to represent their members in factory matters, and to provide all workers with a guarantee that the company will respect their rights to organise and to bargain collectively.
**involvement of TEKSIF in the discussions around the company’s restructuring plans and the criteria for necessary dismissals.
**review of occupational health and safety measures at both factory plants, as well as a review of certain disciplinary and grievance handling mechanisms;
In addition to these demands towards the management of the Menderes factory, I urge IKEA to take up the moral commitment it makes in its IWAY code of conduct and not to diminish or lessen orders at Menderes just because of the labour-related problems there. Reduced production or even a closing down of the Menderes factory is not in anybody's interest, and a ”cut-and-run” scenario would not reflect favourably on IKEA's social responsibility profile.
Yours sincerely,
Labels: Clean Clothes Campaign, international labour, labour, Menderes factory. IKEA, petitions, solidarity, Turkey
