Supply Chain Act: German Institute for Human Rights: "Statement in the context of the association hearing on the draft speaker of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs": The Institute criticises the fact that the current draft does not protect those affected enough and hardly supports companies in dealing well and effectively with the challenge of respecting human rights due diligence. Improvements in the parliamentary procedure are necessary (in particular: prevention of human rights violations through risk analysis along the entire value chain; Focusing on dealing with the major human rights risks and violations; effective redress for human rights violations, including redress for those affected).
Forced labour in Turkmenistan: Turkmen.news: "Review of the Use of Forced Labor in Turkmenistan During the 2020 Cotton Harvest": Trade in cotton Xinjiang (Uighurs) are increasingly being boycotted, but there are also problems with forced labour in alternative markets such as Turkmenistan. The cultivation of cotton in Turkmenistan is fully regulated by the state and places farmers in a strong dependence. Quantities and prices are set by the state. If farmers do not meet the requirements, they have to pay penalties and are at risk of having to give up their land. Local organisations are also in favour of economic sanctions.
Forced dismissals in India: Garment and Textile Workers’ Union and Alternative Law Forum (GATWU): "Forced resignations, Stealthy Closures": According to the survey, many workers from 17 of the 25 factories surveyed were urged to quit so that employers could avoid statutory severance payments. Among the listed companies are among others. Puma and H&M. The study also looks at the impact of pay cuts on the diet and health of women and their families.
EU and China: After the EU imposed sanctions on China for the forced labour of the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region of China, China's state media started a shitstorm on international brands like H&M and Adidas. It calls for a boycott of the brands. In addition, a list of Chinese celebrities circulated, who are now under this pressure to terminate their advertising contracts with the fashion companies. FashionUnited In this context, reports on the dilemma of the fashion industryTo meet Western consumers with ethical standards without cutting off from the Chinese market. Nayla AjaltouniRepresentative of the International Coalition End Forced Labour in the Uyghur RegionAccording to the coalition, following the calls for the boycott in China, some brands have "withdrawn" their commitments to forced labour by withdrawing press releases or changing their positions, such as Inditex.
Bangladesh: In the region of Tejgaon (Dhaka) Riots between workers and policeNine people were seriously injured. The workers of the factories Apparel Stitch Ltd. and Stitchwell Design Ltd. the Patriot Group Demonstrated against sudden layoffs and outstanding payments of four months. When the police wanted to dissolve the protest, there were clashes. The factory owner argues that he legally paid the workers and owes them nothing.
Myanmar: The situation in Myanmar continues to worsen for the textile workers: More than 1000 workers of the Primark-suppliers Gy Sen He was banned from participating in the anti-military protests.. After several hours, some workers were able to break out of the closed factory to protest. Twenty of them were then released. A further report indicates that: Six Workers Murdered by the Military became. The owner of the factory had taken her to the factory (Xing Jia) ordered to collect their wages and then notified the military when the workers demanded their full salary.
Philippines: Many workers are in a state of "float" after losing their jobs last year. With the status "employee but without work", employers avoid paying severance payments to the workers. Similar reports have already been made in Bangladesh. NGWF therefore demanded that workers be released for a maximum of 45 days and then receive severance payments or be hired again at full salary (we already reported this in the News Update KW 7).
Cambodia: This Ministry of Labour calls for preparations for COVID-19 vaccinations of textile workersafter the government has prioritized them in the vaccination plan. In order to be able to start the implementation in the near future, the Garment Manufacturers Association (GMAC) send a list. From each factory, a doctor should be trained accordingly. The government also announced the Eighth round of support payments to textile workers to. From April to June, 40$ will continue to be paid to the workers, employers will have to increase the amount by 30$ (to 70$) (we have already reported on an assessment of this aid measure by the local labour law NGO CENTRAL in the news update of KW 9).
India: In the spring of '20, about 900,000 migrant workers made their way back to Jharkhand as they lost their jobs due to the nationwide lockdown. In the summer, many of them were flown back to the cities by their employers to resume their work. The cost of returning was deducted from many workers' wages. Jharkhand's Minister of Labour says that this is against the Payment of Wages Act They will contact the employers. The report does not identify the sector from which those affected are coming.
