“If your face is seen in Haryana, we will kill you”

On 23rd August 2010, 60 workers from the Viva Global garment factory in Gurgaon, India were attacked by thugs as they arrived for work. According to eye witnesses the thugs used sticks and canes to beat the workers and kidnapped union leader Anwar Ansari. Mr Ansari was taken away in the back of a van and beaten. During his 14 hour detention, he reports he was taken to the office of PND contractors, a labour agency providing workers to the Viva Global factory.

In a signed statement made by Mr Ansari he stated that “the gangsters brought papers and asked me to write that I am willing to resign the job whenever the company wants..... I was forced to sign a bunch of blank papers by these gangsters. And they snatched my union id card ....” His attackers threatened him before dumping him in the street near his home. “If your face is seen in Haryana, we will kill you” he was told. M&S was a major buyer in this factory.