Latest update:
5th September: M&S publicly state that they have withdrawn all orders from the factory. This may result in the factory's closure and the loss of jobs for all the workers. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/sep/05/marks-spencer-viva-global-workers-abuse
28th August: Three men from labour agent PND contractors, who supply workers to Viva Global, have been arrested in connection with kidnapping of Anwar Ansari. Viva Global management have failed to attend two scheduled meetings with the local labour deprtment aimed at coming to a negotiated settlement in this dispute. Workers continue to protest outside the factory after reportedly being told by VG owner that 'No agreement is going to happen between the union and the management.'
4pm (UK time), 26th August: Anwar Ansari has now been released from hospital and has joined his friends at the demonstration. The hunger strike has ended but 100 workers remain at the demonstration outside.
9:30pm (UK time), 25th August: We have just received the welcome news that Mr Ansari has been found by Indian police after being dumped by his kidnappers at 10:45 Indian time in a street near his home. He has been the victim of a serious beating and has been warned that should he return to the factory he will be killed. Mr Ansari intendes to meet with his colleagues at the picket line as soon as he is wel enough to leave hospital.The hunger strike will continue until then.
Mr Ansari has confirmed no other worker was taken at the time of his kidnapping, contrary to earlier reports of two workers being taken. We have now corrected this information in all our communication.
Background:
The workers were attacked by thugs brandishing hockey sticks and lathis* as they arrived for their shift at 9:30am Delhi time on the 25th August 2010. One of the thugs has been identified as the labour contractor used by Viva Global to provide workers to the factory. Sixteen women were severely beaten and Anwar Ansari, a trade union leader was kidnapped.
The attack follows several months of campaigning by the Garment and Allied Workers Union (GAWU) to get improvements in conditions at Viva Global. Workers complained of excessive and forced overtime, low wages, a lack of water to drink and in the toilets. In June 2010 a woman was burned with acid at the factory after picking up an unmarked bottle she believed to be water to use in the toilet.
Harassment of union members, including threats of dismissal, violence and even death has been increasing at the factory in recent weeks. On Monday 23rd August Viva Global management attempted to prevent workers from entering the factory and made threats against union leaders and workers, who were warned they would be beaten or even shot if they continued their campaign.
The same day a tripartite meeting was held between Viva Global Management the Labour Department and the Garment and Allied Workers Union (GAWU). An agreement was reached that all workers would be reinstated and the threats of violence against workers would immediately cease. These events appear to represent a serious violation of this agreement.
The Viva Global workers, along with a large number of local supporters, are now holding an ongoing demonstration outside Viva Global. The president of the union, Anannya Batterchjee declared an indefinite hunger strike until her union colleague is safely returned.
Please send an email today to Viva Global management to demand that:
- the the kidnappers of Mr Anari are found and brought to justice
- all violence and intimidation against union members is stopped immediately
- workers locked out from the factory are reinstated as per the agreement with the Labour Department.
Updates will be posted on our twitter feed and facebook pages as news comes in. Sign up to receive these updates at www.twitter.com/labourlabel or http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Labour-Behind-the-Label/149595231718129
* Lathis are a stick used in Inidan martial arts.
