Labour Behind The Label

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.

 The workers were attacked by thugs brandishing hockey sticks and lathis* as they arrived for their shift at 9:30am Delhi time on the 25^th August 2010. One of the thugs has been identified as the labour contractor used by Viva Global to provide workers to the factory. Sixteen women were severely beaten and Anwar Ansari, a trade union leader was kidnapped.

All brands except Debenhams have now responded to the shocking findings of the Taking Liberties report, which revealed workers in India are paid less than half the living wage, live in slum conditions, and have their rights systematically exploited.

Take action now to condemn the kidnapping of a trade union leader at a M&S supplier factory in India and to call for his attackers to be brought to justice. The kidnapping is part of a brutal attack against 60 workers, which took place as they arrived for work at the Viva Global factory in Gurgaon, India on August 25th 2010.