Dear supporters,

Whether protection against dismissal, maternity leave or continued pay in the event of illness, most of us are aware of our rights. Many workers in India and Bangladesh don't know their rights – and have no financial means for a lengthy and costly legal dispute. The chances of a positive outcome are not even bad.

Dr Gisela Burckhardt,
Chairman of the Board
FEMNET e.V.

On my last visit to Bangladesh, NGWF trade unionists complained that the difficult situation of women workers in the garment factories had not improved yet. The women sew shirts, trousers and skirts for Western clothing brands for up to twelve hours a day. They are exposed to the arbitrariness of their employers without protection: Irregular or incomplete payment of wages, lack of compensation in the event of accidents at work or termination without notice are not individual cases. The seamstress Rina Akter was also dismissed after more than two years without warning – presumably because she organised herself as a trade union.

We are committed to women like Rina Akter! With the donations we collect in Germany, our partner organizations in Bangladesh and India support women workers in legal disputes. In the first half of 2016, the NGWF union was able to tackle more than 500 labour rights violations. Rina Akter's lawsuit was also successful: After only three months, the 27-year-old received compensation.

For this work we need your help! Your contribution to our Solidarity Fund enables rapid and non-bureaucratic assistance on the ground. Please donate with the password ‘Strengthening rights’.

I wish you happy holidays and thank you very much on behalf of the colleagues in Bangladesh and India for your support!

Rina Akter,
seamstress

Yours

Please support our work with your donation!
The seamstresses need your help!

Donate online via the donation button or by bank transfer:
GLS Bank, account number 300 800 800, BLZ 430 60 967
Keyword: “Strengthening rights”.

Our work is recognized as charitable, your donation is deductible from the tax.

Disclaimer

FEMNET e.V.
Feminist Perspectives on Politics, Economy and Society
Kaiser-Friedrich-Str. 11
53113 Bonn
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Tel. 0228 18038116

Board of Directors: Dr. Gisela Burckhardt, Vanessa Püllen, Andrea Lindner, Christiane Kühnrich, Anna Hoff

Editorial and responsible within the meaning of § 5 TMG: Dr. Gisela Burckhardt
Disclaimer: Despite careful content control, we assume no liability.
File number VR 9568B at the District Court of Bonn.