Honduras: Union leaders under threat
Wednesday, 01 April 2009 00:00
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1,800 workers at the Jerzees de Honduras factory in Honduras are facing the prospect of unemployment after Russel Corporation closed the factory in February 2009. The closure followed a long campaign by the SITRAJERZEESH union, who had finally won the right to represent workers at the factory. Since the closure was announced several union leaders have received credible threats to their safety and their lives.
Since then management has openly blamed union members for the closure of the plant. This has created a perception among workers that they are about to lose their livelihoods because of the actions of union activists. Over the last few months union leaders have received numerous threats against their lives. The threat of violence in Honduras is real: last year the leader of the country's largest union federation was assassinated after a meeting regarding the closure of a different maquila factory.
Russell continues to maintain that the economic reasons were central to its decision, however it would seem its customers are not convinced. Following a campaign by the Workers Right Consortium and United Students Against Sweatshops over a dozen US universities have cancelled their contracts with Russell Corporation as result of code of conduct breaches at Jerzees de Honduras.
UK students launch campaign against Russell Athletic
A similar campaign is under way in the UK. Students from People and Planets Redress Fashion campaign paid a visit to the UK headquarters of Fruit of the Loom (owned by Russell Corporation) to protest about the closure of the factory. They are encouraging students in the UK to follow their colleagues in the US and demand universities cut contracts with Fruit of the Loom and Russell Corporation – big suppliers of apparel to UK universities and sports club
Find out more about the UK student campaign >>
Early Day Motion in UK parliament
The case hasn't been limited to student action. John McDonnell MP has also put down an early day motion in parliament calling on Russell Corporation to re-open the factory, cease threats against the union activists and formally recognise the union. A number of MPs have already signed it. If yours hasn't yet signed write to them urging them to do so ASAP. For sample letter to send to your MP see the take action page.
Get involved!
The union and students have pledged to continue the campaign until Russell agrees to re-open the factory, re-employ the dismissed workers and recognise the union as the legitimate representative of the workers. This will be a hard case to win but the pressure is building. If we are to maintain this pressure we need your help.
Take action >>
