Issues
Issues
Slum housing
Workers spoke of living in housing 'colonies' or unofficial slums, in packed in accommodation with asbestos roofing. Most landlords refused to give housing contracts to their tenants and without theses workers were unable to get residency cards. This unregistered life beyond the pale means workers cannot access government subsidised products such as gas – more than double the cost on the open market – and cannot register their children for state schools. Private schools are unthinkable on their salaries, or where workers can scrape together the fees, this cost is cut when overtime isn't available or temporary contracts dip.
Rights removed by contract labour
Over 90% of workers were found to be employed on short term or temporary contracts by agents who supply labour to large factories . This ruse leaves them vulnerable to arbitrary dismissal and allows employers to evade the responsibilities they have to their work force, such as holiday, maternity and sick pay, bonuses and promotions etc. The daily problems faced at work such as forced overtime, harassment and bullying, lack of drinking water were all under the control of the factory manager who was no longer the workers' 'official employer', thereby stripping away the right to protest.
Threats to workers
Both suppliers banned workers from trade union activities, contrary to all the brands codes of conduct. Hired security guards were employed to visit the factories and workers were threatened to do as they were told or 'the guards would get them'. As such, a climate of fear exists in Gurgaon and workers are too afraid to speak about their problems, let alone join unions to protest their wages and lifestyles.
Wages
Wages were found to fall well below the living wage. Helpers and thread cutters received only £60 (4,349 rupees) a month – below half a living wage of £126 (9,100 rupees). Even skilled tailors and checkers earned at most £65 (4,739 rupees) a month - £2.70 (195 rupees a day) or just 33p (26 rupees) an hour. Workers often could not afford breakfast and shared one-room slum homes with their families or other staff. Researchers found only two toilets for all the residents of 18 rooms. Most workers lacked enough money to keep their families with them in the city, so had to live apart.
Overtime
Though all the retailers highlighted point to their code for voluntary overtime not exceeding 12 hours a week, workers at one factory had to toil up to 140 hours a month overtime, but were paid the standard rate. The other factory’s employees were also forced to toil until 2 am several times a month.
