Triumph closed the factories without consulting the workers or their unions in violation on international labour standards. Since then their unions have been working together, along with the Clean Clothes Campaign, to get justice for these workers.
The ongoing dispute between Triumph International and the former Triumph workers dates as far back as August 2008, when more than 2000 workers at Triumph subsidiary 'Body Fashion Thailand' went on strike to demand the reinstatement of their unjustly dismissed union president, Jitra Kotshadej. Despite protest emails from thousands of international labour activists in support of the union, Triumph International refused to reinstate Ms. Kotshadej.
By June 2009, 'Body Fashion Thailand', had announced that around half of its 4200 workers would lose their jobs by the end of August. In the Philippines, 1660 garment workers lost their jobs when Triumph International (Philippines) Ltd. and Star Performance Inc. closed down. Neither in Thailand nor in the Philippines did the Triumph management conduct timely and transparent negotiations with the factory workers' unions as required by international labour standards.
Whilst Triumph placed blame on the difficult financial climate, it was clear from their launch of new factories elsewhere in Thailand, that the dismissal of workers was associated with their union membership. Triumph’s decision to dismiss workers was made in both countries without involving the unions. As a consequence, the dismissals violated the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development) guidelines as well as ILO (International Labour Organisation) convention 158. Furthermore, the company failed to prove that their decision did not undermine the right to freedom of association.
In Thailand, the affected union workers showed amazing determination to defend their rights and transformed their action camp into a production line, with nearly 200 workers producing bras and underwear. This unique label 'Try Arm', will hopefully provide the workers with some much deserved revenue. The first pair of pants made were presented to the Director- General of the Department of Labour.
The combined effort of more than a thousand workers in both countries has shown that the Triumph workers are dedicated and determined to achieve their vision. Isabelita de la Cruz, President of the New Unity of Workers in Triumph International (BPMTI) said “We demand the immediate reinstatement of the workers, in addition to a guarantee that Triumph’s global restructuring plan does not result in massive retrenchments and relocation of Triumph workers worldwide, depriving workers of their union rights.”
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