News about Our Work - 26 January 2017 Support the petition – Free Bangladeshi activists from detention! Photo: © Rich LI, lLRFFEMNET supports the petition the International Labour Rights Forum (ILRF), which calls on companies such as H&M, C&A and Inditex to stand up for illegally arrested workers. Workers have been protesting in Bangladesh since December for raising the minimum wage. The strikers organized peaceful marches. But instead of making concessions, the factory owners filed criminal charges against trade unionists and workers. At least 24 activists and workers were arrested. A bail release was refused. Some have been threatened with torture or death. Trade union offices are monitored by the secret police. Accusations are also being made against hundreds of ‘unnamed’ workers, a so-called blacklist circulating. Over 1,500 workers have lost their jobs – many of them are on the ‘blacklist’ and thus no longer find jobs in the clothing industry. FEMNET urges all companies that buy from these factories to stand up for the release of the detainees! The International Labour Rights Forum petition is addressed to H&M, Gap, C&A, Inditex (including Zara and Bershka) and VF (including 30 brands such as North Face and Lee). Sign under https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/brands-respect-basic-rights For more information: Press release of the Industriall Bangladesh Council (31.01.2017) (PDF file) Notice from the H&M Sales General Works Council on the signing of the petition (PDF file) Press release from ver.de (01.02.2017) (PDF file) http://www.handelsblatt.com
