Arbitrary arrests of trade unionists during a strike in Bangladesh

Bangladesh strike. © CCC

The Clean Clothes Campaign is concerned about the safety of trade unionists and workers in Bangladesh. Some of them had apparently been arbitrarily arrested, while thousands of workers in Ashulia, an area in Dhaka, had participated in a strike for higher wages. The strike began on the 12th. December 2016 in the Windy Apparels factory, which was only recently mentioned in the news in connection with the death of an employee in October. The factory produces clothing for several brand companies, including H&M, Inditex (which owns the Zara brand), Esprit, Tesco, Arcadia, s.Oliver and Debenhams. Within a very short time, surrounding factories also took part in the strike. On the 20th In December 2016, 59 factories were closed.

The workers demand the payment of a minimum wage of 15,000 BDT/month (182 EUR). After the Rana Plaza factory collapse, the minimum wage was raised to only 5,300 BDT. It is unclear exactly how the strike started, but it is not a coordinated strike and none of the trade union federations have publicly endorsed it so far. At some press conferences, trade unionists have even called on workers to resume work, although their demands are to be taken seriously by the government and employers.

The government is using this strike to crack down on union leaders. On the 21st In December, seven trade unionists were arrested by the local police after a meeting with the industry. On the 26th In December 2016, they were to be presented to the judge. They are believed to have been arrested under the Special Powers Act 1974. This law, known as one of the ‘Black Laws’, allows the Government of Bangladesh to arrest people and keep them in preventive detention. On 22. Two other unionists from Gazipur were arrested at 11:15 p.m. by a special police unit. The two had just completed a meeting with workers and have so far reported that they were questioned about the strike. The detainees were also asked if the strike could extend to Gazipur.

So far, there has been no hearing in court. Another trade unionist, Moshrefa Mishu, was elected on 22 May 1922. She was arrested in December when she was about to attend a press conference. The police later declared on their release that they only wanted to invite them for a cup of tea. Some of the factories, such as Windy Apparels, have also filed complaints against hundreds of workers.

This is not the first time the Bangladeshi government has used riots and strikes as a pretext to crack down on trade unionists. During strikes in 2010, which called for an increase in the minimum wage, some trade unionists had been arrested and imprisoned: All have suffered physical and psychological violence during their detention. One of the detainees, Aminul Islam, was brutally murdered just 18 months later. Those responsible have never been found and there are doubts as to whether security forces were involved in his murder.

The Clean Clothes Campaign condemns the persecution of trade unionists and workers. Workers must be able to protest against starvation wages and poor working conditions. We call on the Government of Bangladesh to end the repression and ensure that those arrested are released or given access to legal defence. The arbitrary charges against hundreds of workers must be dropped. Companies that source clothing from Bangladesh should join these demands to the government and ensure that their suppliers do not engage in the oppression of workers and trade unionists exercising their legitimate right to assembly and collective bargaining. We call on the government, employers and companies to prevent further unrest by engaging in dialogue with workers and meeting their demands, such as an increase in the current minimum wage.

Contact:
Laura Ceresna
Rapid Action Coordinator of the Clean Clothes Campaign
Tel.: +49 (0)30-42 08 202-52
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

This is a press release from the Clean Clothes Campaign