In this issue:
Editorial
In our last issue of the Update, we reported on the
controversy surrounding a recent investigation of three
Apple Inc. supplier factories in China owned by Foxconn,
the world's largest electronics manufacturer. As we go
to press, that controversy is being re-ignited by a
follow-up report released August 21 by the FLA.
>>Read
more
Violence
forces the CAT to close Puebla office
Faced with ongoing harassment, physical assaults and
death threats, MSN's long-time friends and allies at the
Worker Support Centre (CAT) in Puebla, Mexico have been
forced to close their office and suspend their support
work with the state's maquiladora workers.
>>
Read more
FLA
investigation ignores root causes of workplace
injuries
In February 2011, the Honduran Women's Collective
(CODEMUH) filed a complaint with the Fair Labor
Association (FLA) alleging that 57 workers at Honduran
factories owned by Canadian t-shirt manufacturer Gildan
Activewear had suffered debilitating injures due to long
work shifts, the intense pace of production and high
production targets. A year and a half later, the FLA has
yet to release its investigative report or corrective
action plan.
>>Read
more
Should brands be liable
when factories close? Adidas faces an Indonesian
impasse
Should adidas be held accountable when a factory that
produced its apparel closes and the owner flees the
country without providing workers their legal severance
pay? Labour rights groups say yes. Adidas says no. Yet
surprisingly, in a controversial closure in Indonesia,
two other notable brands have broken ranks and
contributed to paying the displaced workers.
>>Read
more
Can National
Competitiveness Strategies Include Decent Work?
What options are open to poor garment-producing
countries in a period of trade liberalization and global
economic crisis? Must they join the race to the bottom
on wages and working conditions or can they take a
different road to competitiveness that respects workers'
rights and provides decent work?
>>Read
more
Pressure mounts on
Bangladeshi authorities to solve murder of labour
activist
Since the murder of trade union organizer Aminul Islam,
pressure has been mounting on the Bangladeshi government
to find and prosecute his murderers, including appeals
from Bangladeshi trade unions and industry associations,
eleven international industry associations, ambassadors
of nine European countries, the US ambassador, members
of the US Congress, the Canadian High Commission, the
International Trade Union Confederation, and numerous
trade union, human rights and non-governmental
organizations.
>>Read
more
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