Labour Behind The Label

The death of two more garment workers in Bangladesh has led to campaigners renewing calls for urgent action to address safety issues in the Bangaldesh garment industry.

Ongoing talks between Viva Global management and the GAWU union have broken down after five union members employed at the factory were dismissed and then beaten by a security guard employed by the company.

"I will continue to fight for my freedom from  prison. I appeal to all the international community– friends  and comrades to continue to support democracy, freedom and justice in Thailand"

 On Monday 19th December Somyot starts his second day on trial on charges of Lese Majeste (offending the King). If found guilty at the end of his trial in May 2012 he faces a possible thirty year imprisonment.

Take action today to call for Somyot's release>>

The trial of Thai labour rights activist and journalist Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, started on 21st November 2011, following seven months in detention on charges of lèse majesté. If found guilty he could face 30 years' imprisonment.

Take action today to call for Somyot's release.

The Italian fashion house Gianni Versace S.p.A. has de-activated its Facebook wall after activists posted dozens of messages demanding that the company ban sandblasting, a technique used to give jeans a used look which is highly dangerous to workers.

The trial against human rights defender and activist Charles Hector is rapidly approaching, and none of the companies involved has done the right thing. The next hearing is June 10th and the trial is June 28-29, so immediate action by the buyers is needed to halt the proceedings. More pressure is needed and you can help.

Take action today to defend the right of free speech in the pursuit of labour rights. Sign the petition now! by going to

ACT NOW!

"Here I sit in a cell behind the tight iron bars, or a “jail”. All my freedom lost, I am held in custody just by myself and am barred from communicating with the world. It causes me unprecedented and deepest grievance, physically and mentally.

Act now to demand the immediate release of the well-known Thai human-rights activist and journalist Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, who was arrested on April 30th 2011 accussed of commiting a crime of lèse majesté (insulting the king). These charges can lead to a maximum of 15 years in prison and is widely criticised for being used to silence political opponents and human-rights activists.  

The number of high street brands banning sandblasting for their supply chain is increasing every week, yet the high cost luxury brands continue to drag their feet. Despite ongoing actions across Europe famous brand Dolce and Gabbana refuse to issue a ban on this deadly practice.

We now know a ban is possible. We know there are other method available that produce the same effect. These are more costly, but surely this extra cost is insignificant when your jeans are retailing at hundreds of pounds. Maybe D&G believe that their customers aren't interested in the workers making their clothes? Maybe they believe fashion is more important than the lives of the young men employed to treat their jeans?

Kalpona Akter and Babul Akhter from LBL partner organisation, Bangladesh Workers Solidarity Centre, are due to appear in court later this month after a judge ruled their cases should be processed under a speedy trial system. Labour Behind the Label believes there is strong evidence that these cases have been fabricated and is calling on Walmart, a major buyer from one of the factories involved, to get the charges against them dropped.